Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō

After making a name for himself in Zanjutsu class, Masatsuki Aozaki's daily life didn't change much. He continued attending classes at Shin'ō Academy and the 1st Division barracks as usual...

Except for Zanjutsu class.

According to Keito Satō, Sōjun Kuchiki believed there was nothing more he could teach Masatsuki in Zanjutsu.

As a result, Shin'ō Academy made a special request to the Gotei 13's 4th Division Captain, Retsu Unohana, to personally tutor Masatsuki one-on-one.

In response, Masatsuki sincerely expressed that as long as Captain Unohana didn't get too carried away during lessons and accidentally cut off his head, he had no objections.

During his free time, Masatsuki either sparred with Rangiku Matsumoto and Gin Ichimaru or sought out "matches" with his instructors and noble ladies.

Either way, his training never fell behind.

Days passed like this, one after another…

Before long, Shin'ō Academy grew lively as the annual Konsō training period arrived.

On this day, sixth-year students would travel to the World of the Living for training, and those who passed would finally achieve their dream of becoming Shinigami.

Whether or not they actually needed the training wasn't important—Masatsuki was focused on something else entirely.

Because today was also the day that the 5th Division's Lieutenant, Sōsuke Aizen, would demonstrate his Shikai to the students.

And it was the day Masatsuki had decided to unlock the true power of Banshō Senran.

...

"By the way, isn't Lieutenant Aizen a little too approachable? He actually demonstrates his Zanpakutō's abilities at Shin'ō Academy every year."

Gin Ichimaru hesitated for a few seconds before voicing his doubts.

At the center of the training grounds, Sōsuke Aizen stood with his usual warm smile, slowly raising his Zanpakutō.

"Maybe he just wants to help more students understand their Zanpakutō..."

Masatsuki's face remained expressionless, but his gaze never left the sword in Aizen's hands.

Aizen wasn't doing this out of goodwill. He was simply playing the long game.

By showing his Shikai to future Shinigami, he could place them under hypnosis from the very start, eliminating the risk of any unexpected threats down the line.

Masatsuki's instincts were sharp. The moment he entered the training grounds, he noticed Aizen's gaze occasionally flicking toward him.

He was well aware of his own limitations—his strength wasn't enough, and he wasn't nearly as intelligent as Aizen. He had no qualifications to play tricks in front of someone like that.

Masatsuki had thought about how best to handle interactions with Aizen.

Aizen was too sharp—there was no way to slip anything past him.

In situations like this, the more you tried to do, the more mistakes you would make.

A plan that might seem flawless in his own mind could be riddled with holes from Aizen's perspective.

Recognizing his limits, obeying when necessary, and not scheming before he had the power to back it up—this was the only way to ensure survival.

Besides, with Banshō Senran at his side, Aizen's Shikai might not even work on him.

Masatsuki ran his fingers along his Zanpakutō's hilt. Banshō Senran vibrated slightly, as if encouraging him.

"Kyouka Suigetsu (Mirror Flower, Water Moon)."

Aizen pointed his blade downward, and his Zanpakutō sank into the ground like a fish slipping into deep water, sending ripples across the training grounds.

In an instant, the area was shrouded in mist, currents of water flowing around them. The students felt their vision blur, their surroundings shifting—positions of their classmates completely rearranged.

"Shatter, Kyouka Suigetsu." (Kudakero, Kyouka Suigetsu.)

A quiet command.

The students rubbed their eyes, and the illusion vanished.

Aizen smiled as he began explaining his Zanpakutō's ability.

"By refracting light through mist and water, it causes enemies to turn on one another."

—A complete lie, without a doubt.

After finishing his demonstration, Aizen walked off, disappearing into the distance under the watchful eyes of the students.

...

That evening...

Shin'ō Academy Dormitory

After finishing his training, Masatsuki took a quick shower and stepped out of the steamy bathroom.

His gaze fell on Banshō Senran, resting beside his clothes, and for a moment, he found himself lost in thought.

He drew his Zanpakutō and murmured,

"Reflect, Banshō Senran."

This would be the first time he used Banshō Senran's true power.

The blade floated midair, its tip pointing downward.

"Kyōka Suigetsu."

Masatsuki looked at Banshō Senran, unchanged, and the corner of his lips lifted slightly.

It was only natural that nothing had happened. Kyōka Suigetsu's Shikai had no outward transformation—just a ritual gesture.

But the moment he spoke the name, he knew.

Banshō Senran had changed.

He could now wield Kyōka Suigetsu's ability.

This was Banshō Senran's true power—the ability to mimic the Shikai of other Zanpakutō.

During use, he could switch between Shikai abilities, though they couldn't be stacked. Their strength depended entirely on his own Reiatsu.

The only condition for replication—he had to witness a Shikai firsthand.

Just as Masatsuki was about to enter Jinzen, a black butterfly fluttered into the room.

"Academy student Masatsuki Aozaki, remember to report to the 1st Division barracks for class this week."

Masatsuki flinched before realizing what it was.

It was a Jigokuchō, carrying a message from Yamamoto.

Jigokuchō were Soul Society creatures tasked with guiding Shinigami between realms and delivering messages.

"This old man really has no sense of timing... Sending a message at this hour? Doesn't he know young people are fragile in the evenings?"

He sighed, sitting cross-legged with Banshō Senran resting on his lap. His brow furrowed slightly.

With his enrollment at Shin'ō Academy and the guidance of top instructors, he had been steadily shaping himself into a well-rounded fighter.

Retsu Unohana taught him Zanjutsu and Kidō.

Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto reinforced his Zanjutsu and Kidō while also instructing him in Hakuda.

That meant he had the best teachers for three of the four fundamental Shinigami "That meant he had the best teachers for three of the four fundamental Shinigami skills—Zanjutsu (Sword), Hakuda (Hand-to-Hand), and Kidō (Demon Arts).

The only thing left was Hohō (Movement).

He hadn't neglected Shunpo either. Both Unohana and Yamamoto were excellent teachers in that area.

But mastering it was one thing—becoming the best was another.

And when it came to Shunpo, no one could surpass Yoruichi Shihōin, the future "Goddess of Flash."

His interactions with Yoruichi had been minimal so far. She hadn't yet become the 2nd Division Captain, and her true strength remained unknown.

For now, he needed to maximize his current resources—learning everything possible before officially becoming a Shinigami.

With two top-tier instructors guiding him, he could avoid unnecessary detours in his training.

On that foundation, he would push his strength as far as it could go.

Until he obtained the Hōgyoku, the best way to grow stronger was through Reiatsu refinement and mastery of the four Shinigami disciplines.

Masatsuki knew he wasn't a prodigy like Sōsuke Aizen, nor was he a naturally overpowered anomaly like Ichigo Kurosaki.

So, he trained harder than anyone.

And from his assessment, among the current Seated Officers of the Gotei 13, there wasn't a single one who could be his match.

Of course, that excluded the veteran schemers who intentionally hid their true power.

But once he reached 5th Rank Reiatsu, even without Banshō Senran's special ability, he would be unmatched within his level.

He was getting closer to that goal—closer to absolute dominance.

Yes...

Masatsuki Aozaki had chosen the path of ultimate power.

Strength beyond all peers.

A flawless strength.

A terrifying strength.

A strength that would drive others to despair.

(40 Chapters Ahead)

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