BLEACH: Blade of Purification

A Shinigami, by definition, is a life form with a high concentration of spirit particles, distinct from ordinary souls. Their life force is directly proportional to the level of their own spiritual power, and the power and combat ability they can possess are also related to it. For this reason, Shinigami are also the favorite food of Hollows.

Professionally, Shinigami are responsible for protecting humans, guiding souls, and purifying Hollows to return them to Soul Society. They are also the rulers of Soul Society.

The basic weapon of a Shinigami is a sword called a Zanpakutō. A Shinigami can obtain great power by knowing the name of the Zanpakutō that is one with their soul. A Zanpakutō has two stages of release. The first stage is Shikai, and the second stage is Bankai. If one were to break it down further, the process is: Asauchi → Zanpakutō → Shikai → Bankai.

An Asauchi is a blade temporarily given to students of the Shin'ō Academy who have not yet become Shinigami, and it is also used by a considerable number of new Shinigami who have just graduated and joined the Gotei 13. Being able to turn an Asauchi into one's own Zanpakutō makes one a qualified member of the Gotei 13. A Shinigami who can successfully master Shikai has enough strength to serve as a seated officer in a squad. As for Bankai, only a few people have reached this realm in the long history of Soul Society, and every captain must master Bankai.

The above is the step-by-step pursuit of a Shinigami who has graduated from the Shin'ō Academy, undergone systematic study, and has sufficient talent. But due to certain real-world situations, there can be exceptions. For example, a Shinigami might be killed on a mission, causing their Zanpakutō to be lost and picked up by another soul. A sufficiently talented soul can overwrite the original Zanpakutō with their own spirit, turning it into their own.

However, the problem isn't here. The problem is that a soul that has not undergone systematic study may not know what a Zanpakutō represents. They might just treat it as a tool for battle and never talk to it. The Zanpakutō will then refuse to communicate with its wielder.

"But no matter what, it's only the Zanpakutō refusing to communicate with its master." At this point, Souichirou looked at the ridiculously long sword Ling Qing had placed to the side with a complex expression. Even he couldn't help but click his tongue and shake his head. "Someone like you who doesn't share any power with their Zanpakutō, and whose Zanpakutō is also unwilling to share any power with you except in a crisis... this is the first time I've ever seen anything like it."

Souichirou was the only Shinigami who had witnessed the entire process of Ling Qing's Zanpakutō transformation, but even he could only call it bizarre and incomprehensible. It wasn't just that the person and the sword were ignoring each other, but also the perplexing fact that such terrifying power had accumulated in the blade despite this cold war. If he were to tell this to the captain of Squad 12, Kirio Hikifune, that female captain would probably barge into Ling Qing's house and not leave until she figured out what was going on.

"...Is it possible," Ling Qing said.

"Hm?"

"That no one ever explained to me what a 'Zanpakutō' is."

Ling Qing's gaze also fell on the Zanpakutō he had placed to the side. For Shinigami, these things were probably common knowledge, not needing any further explanation. But this was the first time Ling Qing had heard such a systematic theory since coming to Soul Society. It also made him realize what a huge misunderstanding he had been operating under.

Damn it, this Soul Society is weird. A Japanese-style world with a Chinese setting. And these Shinigami are weird too. Becoming one with their swords. And the sword isn't a ready-to-use magic weapon, you have to raise it yourself. Is this Pokémon?!

"Indeed," Souichirou nodded lightly. But I've only ever seen one person like you. Souichirou didn't say this part out loud. On one hand, he had already said it too many times. On the other, the reason exceptions are exceptions is because they can do what others cannot.

"So, am I currently in the 'completed Zanpakutō' state, or the 'completed Shikai' state?"

Due to time constraints and it not being particularly necessary, Souichirou didn't elaborate on just how terrifying it was that Ling Qing could already defeat an Adjuchas-class Gillian. This led Ling Qing to misunderstand, thinking that his level was just so-so in the Seireitei after hearing that only Shinigami who could release their Zanpakutō could become seated officers.

Fortunately, this misconception was immediately corrected by Souichirou just a moment later.

"You have only just completed your Zanpakutō. Or rather, you two have finally had your first conversation." At this point, Souichirou's expression was no longer as leisurely as before, but gradually became serious. Noticing the change in his expression, Ling Qing also braced himself. He felt that the main event was probably just about to begin.

"And the problem lies precisely here. Your power... your talent. It's too strong."

"Even someone at my level can be considered strong?"

Souichirou was about to continue when he suddenly heard Ling Qing's self-deprecating words and almost choked on his own saliva. He turned his head and coughed violently, the serious atmosphere he had just built up instantly vanishing. "Wh-what do you mean, 'your level'? Don't you underestimate us Shinigami too much, you brat!! Although everyone's talent can't compare to you, you bastard, everyone is still working hard and training day after day!!!!"

It was a case of using the harshest tone to say the most cowardly words. The "everyone" in Souichirou's somewhat annoyed words undoubtedly included himself. Even though he was now one of the pinnacles of power in the Gotei 13 and had long since achieved Bankai, when it came to talent, Souichirou, having seen everything with his own eyes, truly didn't have the courage to compare himself to Ling Qing.

"But the problem lies precisely here. Sigh..." With a long sigh, Souichirou's expression darkened.

If Ling Qing were an enemy, he would naturally have reason to be troubled. But now that Ling Qing had clearly stated that he would go to the Seireitei to become a Shinigami, he should be overjoyed that a future colleague had such strong talent. So why did he have such a gloomy expression? It was as if something extremely terrifying was about to happen.

"An ordinary genius would only bring joy. But what does it mean when someone appears who is beyond genius, who can no longer be described with words like 'genius' or 'prodigy,' and only makes people feel terror?"

Shihouin Souichirou met Ling Qing's gaze without flinching. He wanted Ling Qing to believe that what he was saying now was not nonsense or deception, but the stark reality of this world, at least for now.

"Ling Qing, you will die! It's that simple. If you go to the Seireitei, you will die in the Seireitei. If you don't go to the Seireitei, you will die in the Rukongai."

-------

Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!

Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA

I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (70 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (182 Chapter)

Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (190 Chapter)

MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (70 Chapter)

BLEACH: Blade of Purification (65 Chapter)

Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (230 Chapter)

My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (74 Chapter)

The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (50 Chapter)

Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(42 Chapter)

Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (20 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (24 Chapter)

Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (21 Chapter)

If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.