The sealed state is the most basic form of a Zanpakutō. Except for being a medium to carry a Shinigami's Reiatsu, it possesses no special abilities – merely an ordinary sword. All sealed Zanpakutō look identical when first issued to Shinigami.
Only by spending years synchronising with their Zanpakutō, pouring their own spiritual energy into it, can a Shinigami awaken its true form. This first release is called Shikai.
With Shikai, part of the power residing within the Shinigami's soul is released through the sword as its vessel. However, even then, the full power remains sealed.
Only when fully released does a Zanpakutō reveal its greatest form – Bankai.
Bankai is a Zanpakutō's true, unrestrained manifestation. In that state, there is no longer any barrier between the Shinigami and their Zanpakutō spirit. Yet, even Bankai has its weaknesses.
If someone can replicate a Shinigami's spiritual frequency at the exact moment of Bankai activation using special tools, they can forcibly steal it. In the original story, the Sternritter of the Wandenreich used their Quincy Medallions to steal many Shinigami Bankai. Ultimately, it was Urahara Kisuke who developed a countermeasure – injecting Hollow essence to alter Reiatsu nature, thus reclaiming stolen Bankai.
Back to the battle at hand.
Though Muramasa's power was formidable – a Zanpakutō capable of manipulating the swords of other Shinigami – its limitations were clear.
After Bankai, Muramasa could delve deep into a Shinigami's inner world, instigating rebellion within their Zanpakutō spirit, causing it to manifest and betray its master. But to do so, the target's Zanpakutō needed to be at least partially released – Shikai or Bankai – allowing Muramasa's power to penetrate.
If the Zanpakutō remained sealed, its connection to the Shinigami was minimal. Without an opening, Muramasa's ability could not affect it at all.
When Kuchiki Xianghe heard Gosuke Shigure's words, he instantly understood. As Muramasa's wielder, he knew his own Zanpakutō intimately. Though he did not know how Gosuke Shigure discerned this, there was no time to ponder it.
A sneer curled at Xianghe's lips. "Even so… Kenpachi, if you refuse to release your Zanpakutō, you will never defeat me. Such arrogance."
Gosuke Shigure remained calm. "You still don't understand."
"Zanpakutō is indeed a major source of a Shinigami's power, but it is not the only one. There is Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō. Overreliance on a Zanpakutō leads to weakness."
In his previous life, Gosuke Shigure had depended heavily on his Zanpakutō. Its abilities were bizarre and potent. Coupled with his noble family's resources, he had become a formidable force. Otherwise, even as a transmigrator, without cheats like daily sign-in systems, becoming strong in Soul Society's harsh reality was near impossible.
But having risen with his Zanpakutō's help, he had also trained his other skills diligently.
After witnessing the fate of Sasakibe Chōjirō – whose Bankai had been stolen and turned against him – Gosuke realised that blind reliance on one's Zanpakutō could become a fatal flaw.
Thus, in this life, he prioritised mastery of all four Shinigami disciplines. From Shikai to Bankai, he had rarely used his Zanpakutō's true powers. Even now, facing Kuchiki Xianghe, he had no intention of releasing it.
After all, Muramasa's ability was too insidious. Though Gosuke was confident he could subdue Xianghe even if his Zanpakutō turned on him, why invite unnecessary trouble when it could be avoided?
In the next instant, Gosuke Shigure vanished, taking the initiative to attack.
"Do you think you can lecture me so arrogantly?" Xianghe roared in fury.
He swung Muramasa to parry Gosuke's sealed blade. The clash of sword pressure sent Xianghe flying once more, though his eyes remained cold and confident.
Gosuke Shigure claimed overreliance on Zanpakutō was folly, but Xianghe scoffed inwardly. Every time he wielded Muramasa, he gained the upper hand.
Just as Gosuke prepared to strike again, a figure appeared beside him without warning.
It was a male with a pale, eerie face, elongated claws, and no sword in hand. Lavender Reiatsu radiated from him, identical to the aura Muramasa released earlier.
This was Muramasa – now materialised into the physical world by Kuchiki Xianghe's summoning.
Shadow-like tendrils spread from Muramasa's feet, merging with Gosuke Shigure's shadow. Instantly, Gosuke felt an oppressive force binding his movements.
If Muramasa could not control Gosuke's Zanpakutō, it would control Gosuke himself.
This was another of Muramasa's sinister abilities.
Of course, Gosuke's overwhelming Reiatsu prevented Muramasa from restraining him for long. But for Xianghe, even a brief delay was enough.
As long as Muramasa bought him a second, he could strike decisively.
Do you really think only you can wield overwhelming sword pressure?
Do you think my other skills are inferior just because I favour my Zanpakutō?
"The Fangs Shine Bright!"
Xianghe raised his blade high. Several streaks of green sword energy erupted forth like crescent moons.
This was a special condensed sword pressure created by Muramasa's power, akin to a Kidō-enhanced blade strike.
While Xianghe prided himself on his mastery of all Shinigami skills, the truth remained: in combat, he depended heavily on his Zanpakutō. To him, Muramasa was not an external tool, but part of his own power.
The green arcs howled through the air, carrying devastating force.
In Xianghe's mind, Gosuke Shigure – bound by Muramasa – would have no choice but to receive this strike head-on.
But then, his eyes widened in disbelief.
Muramasa's shadows shattered as a blinding blue Reiatsu erupted from Gosuke's body, surging like an unquenchable sun. Instantly, Gosuke broke free from the restraint.
In the final moment, all Xianghe saw was Gosuke's blade slicing through the green crescents effortlessly. The sword pressure surged forth, devouring his attack and engulfing his body entirely.
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