[Zanpakutō: Nozarashi]: A Zanpakutō from another world, forged from the soul of a Shinigami (Death God). Once claimed, it binds to the opener. Awakening its name grants immense power. In its Shikai (Initial Release), its attack power skyrockets, becoming devastatingly destructive. In Bankai (Final Release), the user's strength is multiplied several times over.
Felix's expression turned strange as he read the name.
Nozarashi. Kenpachi Zaraki's sword.
Of all the Zanpakutō, she pulled this one.
Don't let its current slim, elegant form fool you. Once released, its appearance changes drastically.
If he remembered correctly, in its Shikai state, the blade transforms from a chipped, rugged katana into a colossal, monstrous cleaver. The guard becomes a geometric shape, the blade uneven and wild, the hilt wrapped in white bandages. It is a weapon of pure brute force.
"Shopkeeper, this weapon isn't ordinary, is it?"
Beidou held the sleek katana, looking at Felix with intense curiosity.
"I've traveled north and south, seen all kinds of ore—from common iron to rare Noctilucous Jade and Amethyst lumps. But I sense none of those materials in this blade. Can you tell me what kind of sword this is?"
She frowned slightly, her hand tightening around the hilt.
"And... the moment I touched it, I felt something strange. Like a magnetic pull. It feels like this sword is important to me."
Before touching it, she felt nothing. But the moment her skin made contact, a connection snapped into place.
"It's a beautiful weapon," Qianyan commented, admiring the blade in Beidou's hand. "Captain, I actually think this suits you perfectly. That heavy claymore you usually lug around doesn't match your elegance at all."
"Qianyan's right," Furong nodded in agreement. "This longsword is nice. It's slender and sharp."
To them, it looked like a refined, noble weapon.
"It is indeed no ordinary weapon," Felix smiled faintly. "It is the weapon of a Shinigami, a Death God."
"Death God?"
Beidou's pupils contracted sharply. "What do you mean? This world only has seven Archons: Anemo, Pyro, Hydro, Geo, Cryo, Electro, and Dendro. Which god is this 'Death God'?"
She looked at the weapon in her hand with disbelief.
A god's weapon?
But she had never heard of a Death God.
Beside her, Qianyan and the others stared wide-eyed at the blade.
A god's weapon? Are you joking?
"Not the Seven Archons you know," Felix shook his head, amused by their shock. "It refers to a being formed from spiritual power. In another world, after humans die, their souls go to a specific realm. There, they can cultivate and grow stronger, eventually earning the title of 'Shinigami'. This weapon is forged from the very essence of such a soul."
Beidou was dumbfounded.
Souls can cultivate after death?
And become gods?
And this sword is made of a soul?
It sounded like a fantasy story within a fantasy world.
Beidou had lived a wild life, slain monsters, and sailed the fiercest seas. She had heard every ghost story in Liyue. But this? This was absurd.
As far as she knew, when people died, they went to the border of life and death, and that was it.
Hu Tao and the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor were the experts on this. If there were Death Gods, Hu Tao would have mentioned them.
Her instinct was to disbelieve it.
But that doubt vanished as quickly as it came.
Everything Xiangling had said, everything she had just experienced with the jars... it all pointed to the shop being legitimate. Felix had no reason to lie.
Qianyan, Huixing, Furong, and Xiangling stood frozen.
Captain Beidou had pulled a god's weapon.
"Every Zanpakutō has its own name," Felix continued, enjoying the silence. "In battle, you can call out its name to release its true form and unleash greater power."
"This release is divided into Shikai (Initial Release) and Bankai (Final Release). The shape and ability of the released sword depend on the user's soul and personality."
"Captain Beidou, take note: every Zanpakutō has its own soul, thoughts, and personality. Do not treat it as a mere tool. It is a partner."
"The Shikai of this particular sword... well, it takes the form of a giant cleaver. It's exactly the kind of weapon you like. You can try it out later."
"But to unlock it, you must communicate with the soul inside the blade. It knows everything you know."
Beidou looked at the sword with solemn respect.
A weapon with a soul.
"You can try communicating now," Felix suggested. "Use your mind to reach out to it."
"Alright."
Beidou nodded. She closed her eyes and focused her mental energy on the blade.
Xiangling and the crew watched in breathless anticipation.
...
Meanwhile, on a street not far from the Jar Shop.
Hu Tao was skipping along, her hands clasped behind her back.
"Eh? Director Hu?"
"Director! Is the Out-of-Body service real?"
"Director Hu, where were you? Old Meng said you weren't in!"
"Director, why are you wearing that long robe? It looks kind of different on you."
Passersby called out to her, surprised and delighted to see the eccentric funeral director.
"If you want to experience the soul leaving the body, go sign up with Old Meng! I'll be back tonight to perform the service!" Hu Tao chirped cheerfully.
But when asked about her clothes, her cheeks puffed out slightly.
Thinking about that made her grumpy.
Soon, she arrived at the Jar Shop.
"Director Hu."
Doyle and Wenqi, the Millelith guards, straightened up. "Good afternoon."
They had heard the rumors. Director Hu could knock souls out with a stick. They didn't want to get on her bad side.
"Afternoon!"
Hu Tao nodded to them and hopped into the shop.
"Hey... did you feel like Director Hu was a bit strange?" Doyle whispered as she passed. "She looked the same, but... different."
"You felt it too?" Wenqi blinked. "Yeah. I can't put my finger on it, but something's changed."
"Forget it. Not our business."
Inside the shop.
Felix spotted Hu Tao immediately. He raised an eyebrow.
Hu Tao? Alone?
And she looked... unhappy. Her cheeks were puffed out in a pout.
"Shopkeeper!"
Hu Tao marched up to the counter. "Why didn't you tell me the details about the 'benefits' of that drink? I drank half of it, and now... how do I cancel the effect?"
As she spoke, her pale earlobes turned bright red, and her plum-blossom eyes filled with a mix of shame and indignation.
She regretted drinking it. She regretted it so much.
She had woken up to a massive change, and her first instinct was to find Felix. He had to have a fix. She just wanted to go back to normal.
"Hm?"
Felix blinked. Benefits? Drink?
He scanned his memory of Hu Tao's pulls.
Ah.
The Papaya Milk (or Golden Milk).
Hiss.
Felix's expression turned peculiar.
The item description had been vague—"great benefits"—but he hadn't known the specifics.
Now, looking at Hu Tao standing before him...
Even with the loose robe, the change was undeniable.
It was... significant.
Hiss.
Felix understood now. So that was the benefit.
A certain meme flashed through his mind. Show me yours.
"Ahem."
Seeing Hu Tao's embarrassed and pleading gaze, Felix coughed to hide his amusement.
"Director Hu, there is a saying: take things as they come."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone philosophical.
"There is an old poem that goes: 'When one looks down and cannot see their toes, it is the sign of a peerless beauty.'"
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