'My Lord, my Lord!'
Hello, I am the Lieutenant. Correction, I am Yukawa.
I am currently in the middle of Jinzen (Blade Zen), and it's going great.
In my field of vision, buildings wrapped in plants are sprouting from the heavens, and a blue sky spreads across the ground.
...Ah, I'm sorry. It was the opposite. After all, I am currently doing a bridge.
In other words, it's the usual scenery of my inner world.
I'm doing a bridge supported by my head, and my arms are crossed in front of my chest.
On my stomach, Nubatama is bouncing poyon poyon.
Why am I doing such a thing, you ask?
Because it was Nubatama's request... I don't know what that child wanted to do. But surely, there must have been something Nubatama was seeking in her own way.
Oops, oops, no good. Nubatama was speaking to me.
"...What?"
'Won't・you・do・it?'
"Ba-ra-la-i-ka? If you pull a prank like tearing a drying rack apart, the dried fish maker will get angry at you."
'Jejeje!? That is wrong! Or rather, I want you to match the character count at least!!'
"I'm sorry. So what are we doing? Should I wear blue overalls and sit on a park bench?"
'That would be the opposite... not that, it is Bankai!'
"Right, Bankai... Bankai!?"
I almost let it slide for a moment, but what did you just say!?
I inadvertently correct my posture. Nubatama, who was bouncing on my stomach, bounced poyon without being perturbed even though I moved, and landed on the ground.
'That is correct! It is about time for the season of Bankai!! Isn't it said since ancient times? When persimmons turn red, one wants to perform Bankai...'
"No way, I've never heard that..."
Doctors turn pale (blue), that's what it is.
'When you can perform Bankai, massages retreat... was it...?'
"That is 'when the south wind blows'..."
'Meguro's...'
"Sanma (Pacific Saury)! Wait, that's not a proverb anymore, it's Rakugo!!"
I don't have time to go along with a contest of being funny...
"...So, what do you want to say after all?"
'Therefore, it is Bankai! You can learn it soon!!'
"You're joking again."
'Fuffuffu, three steps forward is Nifu (Two Pawns)!'
"You've surpassed Sanpu (Three Pawns)."
But there is a rule in Shogi, right? A local rule-like thing where doing not just Nifu but Sanpu is OK as a handicap.
"In the first place, haven't we just been playing around? The conditions for Shikai are 'synchronization' and 'dialogue', so I can still understand, but for Bankai, 'materialization' and 'submission' are necessary, right?"
As I mentioned before, Shikai can be managed with synchronization and dialogue with the Zanpakuto—roughly speaking, if you get along well and have them teach you their name, it works out.
In contrast, when performing Bankai, materialization and submission—in other words, "materialization" to summon the main body of the Zanpakuto existing in the inner world to this world, and "submission" to have that materialized Zanpakuto acknowledge one's power—are necessary.
Although we say materialization lightly, just manifesting an opponent existing in the inner world into this world with one's own Reiatsu requires extraordinary spiritual power. At this point, an average squad member cannot even attempt Bankai.
And submission, this varies greatly. It depends on the Zanpakuto's personality.
There are patterns like simply fighting and being acknowledged in a delinquent manga style, or needing to answer something like a Zen riddle; there are various patterns.
Other people's advice is rarely helpful.
...If it's just making them submit, would ten consecutive wins in Rock-Paper-Scissors be okay?
"I haven't become strong enough to perform Bankai, you know...?"
'That is where the amateur goes Akasaka-Mitsuke, next is Tameike-Sanno, transfer and it's Kokkai-gijidomae!'
Tokyo Metro, it feels very nostalgic... transferring from Ginza Line to Marunouchi Line, huh...
'My Lord! What do you think we were playing for every day and night!? All those were training!!'
"...No, we were playing, weren't we?"
'Then my Lord, remember the skyscraper window wiping game the other day.'
...Did we do such a thing? Well, um... window wiping...
"Like this?"
'Toooooooooh!!'
Like this, when I moved my hand as if wiping a window with a rag, Nubatama transformed her body and attacked.
I tend to forget, but this child is a slime. So her body shape is practically non-existent; stretching a part of her body like a whip and transforming it, she unleashed a sharp thrust.
"...!!"
I, who was playing window wiping, instantly brush off that attack in a circular motion with the same movement.
"This is..."
'Ma-Wa-Shi-U-Ke (Circular Block)... the pinnacle blocking technique of modern Karate.'
"But, when did I learn such a technique!?"
'This is my special training!! All casual everyday movements are connected to training!! This is the essence of Karate!! And the preparations for Bankai are already complete!!'
"I-Is that so!! I'm sorry, Nubatama! I'm sorry for doubting you!!"
'It is fine, it is fine, my Lord... If you understand, that alone is enough for me... for me...!!'
I gently hug Nubatama close—
"Wait, like hell that's truuueeeeeee!!"
'Aaaaaaaaaaaaaah!?!?'
—For the time being, I bear hug her with all my might.
Although it probably has no effect on Nubatama's enchanting soft body, the feeling of "Don't mess with me!" should be transmitted.
"That's from that movie!! Besides, that circular block was a technique beaten into me by Captain Unohanaaaaaa!!"
It was supposed to be swordsmanship practice, but a little while after I learned Shikai, she started using her hands.
While fighting with swords, I was punched, stabbed, kicked with her free hand, unbalanced before I knew it, thrown, stomped on, had bones broken, and was cut.
Captain Unohana is scary...
'Boobs! Boobs are pressing tightly!! Nhoooooooo!! Unbearableeeeeeee!!'
'Well, it is true that you can learn Bankai.'
"Seriously?"
'Seriously, and spoonful.'
Mystery of the Emblem is a masterpiece, isn't it.
'Anyway, my Lord, have you not noticed?'
Did something happen?
'For example, the female Shinigami who received my Lord's sexu... correction, super perverted massage, their skin became smooth, right?'
Wait a minute, why did it get worse when you rephrased it! ...Wait, hmm?
"Ah, come to think of it... but wasn't that a gag!?"
'I properly did "Tee-hee-pero★"!! That is also a splendid materialization!!'
"No way..."
I don't want to believe that... that...
'This is my materialization!! By mixing into the oil and being gently smeared, women's skin becomes smooth and silky!! As if rejuvenated by twenty years... wait, then the wife would become a baby, I apologize! The wife who went to the esthetic salon and came back returned to that appearance when they started dating, making the father overjoyed, and tonight is a big hustle! Hey, which do you want, a younger brother or a younger sister? That kind of technique!! Of course, I am a younger sister—'
"There!!"
'Twelve peopllllleeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!'
I've been spoiling her too much lately, so I have to discipline her soon.
Oh, she flew until she was out of sight in an instant... I've become strong, haven't I.
"—So, it is a very sudden story, but please let me take paid leave."
The next day, as soon as I went to the Captain's office, I bowed my head to Captain Unohana.
I appealed that I was told by my Zanpakuto that I could reach Bankai, so I wanted to make time to acquire Bankai, and since acquiring Bankai would likely require days, I wanted her to let me take time off.
"Bankai, is it... You have finally reached that point."
"I am truly sorry for my progress always being at a snail's pace."
One hundred and fifty years for Shikai, and counting from there, about four hundred years—looking back again, my growth is too slow... It's amazing the Captain didn't abandon me.
I am truly grateful.
"Well, if that is the case, it is fine."
"Really!?"
"Let's see... you are off duty this weekend, correct? Then I permit the following day as leave. Two days should be enough, right?"
"Eh...?"
Wondering what she was saying, I inadvertently stare at the Captain's face.
"Acquire Bankai within those two days. I won't let you say you can't."
"Eh, um... two days?"
However, the Captain didn't change her expression at all.
"Was something strange? You acquire Bankai on your day off, and the next day is leave so you can rest your body slowly. With this, there will be no hindrance to your duties the following day, right?"
She says it as if it were natural.
Um, that means you're telling me to acquire Bankai in one day, right...? Was Bankai something easy enough to master in one day??
"Training to master Bankai is also necessary, but we can just do that on another day... is there a problem?"
I felt threatened, as if she implicitly said, "I absolutely do not accept objections. If you have complaints, say them after defeating me."
Actually, she is definitely saying that. Because the atmosphere she wears isn't work mode; she is emitting Reiatsu with killing intent seriously like in training mode!!
Being persuaded with such sincerity and heart, there is only one thing I can say.
"No, there are no problems! I will definitely master Bankai in those two days!!"
"That's the spirit, I expect results."
"Thank you very much! Then, since I have duties today, please excuse me!!"
Bowing vigorously, I exited the Captain's office. Now then...
...Nubatama, can you hear me?
'What is it?'
In these two days, I'm acquiring Bankai no matter what, okay? You cooperate with all your might too!!
'G-Got it, understood!!'
...Was acquiring Bankai something like this? Threatening the Zanpakuto...
'If you win, it's heaven; if you lose, it's hell! Intellect, physical strength, luck of the moment! Shining in flowers and storms, Thursday has come! Going is the woman's way of life!!'
Where should I start retorting?
First, then I have to cross America in a quiz.
Next, today is Saturday.
Finally, what movie is that? But well, since I'll be killed by the Captain if I don't go, "way of life" isn't wrong.
'No energy! Do you want to acquire Bankai!! Are you not afraid of the punishment game!!'
"Punishment game... Captain Unohana... I'm sorry, I'm scared... I'm sorry..."
'Aaaaaaaaaah! I am sorry!! My Lord, please stay strong!! That was, that was my slip of the tongue just now!!'
"Sob sob... really?"
'Really! See, so stop crying now!! Here, have a candy\~!'
Nubatama desperately encouraged me as I reflexively crouched down.
"Candy... delicious..."
'How is it? It is my proud black candy! There are also mint flavor and plum shiso flavor!!'
"Your choices are like a grandma's!!"
So, it is the weekend. Tomorrow is paid leave. So it's two consecutive holidays.
To master Bankai, I have come to a mountain deep in the outskirts of Rukongai where no one is around.
Here, even if something happens, there should be no human casualties, and even if something like a landslide occurs, the people of Rukongai should have enough time to notice and escape.
Yup, somehow (while making retorts) energy has welled up.
"...Alright!! Let's do it, Nubatama!!"
'That's the spirit!! I will cooperate with all my might too!!'
"It's late to ask, but what exactly do you do to cooperate with all your might?"
'That is, of course, after issuing a document saying I submitted, I stamp my seal of approval pon pon pon...'
"...Your true name isn't Nubatama Sanmonban (Cheap Seal), is it?"
'Gikkuuuuuuuuu!!!!'
"No, enough with that kind of thing... let's start quickly."
'Oh my, was I found out?'
"How many years do you think I've been with you? Then, materialization, here I go?"
'Bring it on!!'
That said, materialization itself isn't that difficult.
What is needed above all is a massive amount of Reiatsu... a massive amount of Reiatsu enough to materialize the main body of the Zanpakuto and still rampage enough to make the opponent submit.
So, release Reiatsu, connect consciousness with the Zanpakuto there, blend the two...
"...How is it, Nubatama? Could you materialize?"
I felt a sensation like my Reiatsu was scooped out, so it should have succeeded, but... hmm?
What happened? Nothing in particular—
"Oh my?"
—There was a sensation like a single drop of sweat flowing down my forehead. I wiped it with my hand, and when I checked it casually...
"...Black, sweat...?"
I felt the blood drain from my face, and a bad premonition ringing alarm bells loudly. But by the time I noticed, it was already too late.
Sensations very similar to sweat assaulted me from my back, chest, stomach, buttocks, legs, from every place on my body.
"Wh...!? This...!!"
Now that it's come to this, there's no need to confirm.
Black sweat welling up from the whole body—presumably, this is the materialized form of Nubatama's main body. The black sweats spread out with a buwaa as if each had a will of its own, and attacked me.
"Th-This guy!! Kuh, Nubatama!! Is this the test for submission!?"
The sweat has now become a huge lump of mucus, and countless mucus tentacles have entwined around my body. As if trying to overrun my entire body, they enter even from the slight gaps of my Shihakusho and crawl around my whole body as if they own it.
The slimy, sticky black liquid crawls around like slugs, and its momentum is incomparably faster than slugs.
It crawls over my skin with tremendous momentum, and if there is even a slight hole, it pushes into it.
"Get awa... gabo!?"
One of them jumped vigorously into my mouth, proceeded inside without reserve from nose and mouth, and pushed deep into my throat.
A sensation very similar to when accidentally drinking water in a pool or waterside, something several times more painful welled up from the depths of my body—
"Ge, ga... aga... Nu, Nubadaba... hurts... what..."
—Throat, deep...!! Impossible, breath is... drowning... swallowed...
...No!!
This is, Nubatama isn't trying to enter inside!! She is overflowing from inside me!!
Ah, this is... bad... drowning...!
Scary... I, myself... consciousness, is...
By Nubatama... taken ov... looks... like...
Keep mind... stro... ng...
Huh... I... why, such... thi... ng...
Ban... kai... what, is that...?
Pitch black...
Deep black...
Slimy...
Squishy...
Soft...
"Ngaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!!!"
Gathering the oxygen remaining in my body and faint consciousness, I grabbed the mucus tentacle that entered my mouth while screaming with all my might, and pulled it out forcefully.
"Geho...!! Goho, gaha... uge, ugegegege!!"
If you swallowed a long, long kelp or something whole, and spat it out forcefully when it reached the bottom of your stomach, surely it would feel like this.
The bottom of my stomach feels incredibly nauseous and disgusting.
From the black mucus tentacle I dragged out by force, a sour smell that seemed to be my stomach acid was drifting.
Since I can feel a burning sensation and sour smell from deep in my throat too, I think I'm probably not wrong.
"Ogeh!! Ugeeeeeeeeeeh!! ...Haa haa... I thought I was going to die!!"
Technically, I am a woman to the extent that if I don't write so when submitting documents to the government office, I get scolded at the counter, but I can't care about shame or reputation anymore.
Since I felt a disgustingness like something still remained at the bottom of my stomach, I raised a voice that a woman normally shouldn't utter with all my might, and vomited with all my might.
With this, I also join the ranks of vomiting heroines! Though what I let out was a pitch-black lump!!
I finally felt refreshed after spitting everything out.
However, if it had stayed like that, I think it would have been a situation much, much worse than definitely dying.
It's intuition, but that pleasantness is something that would mean game over immediately if I surrendered myself to it. Even if it was barely, well done reviving, me!!
"\\!! H-How long do you intend to stay inside a person!!"
As I said earlier, this black mucus tries to enter every hole of mine—no, tries to come out from the holes.
So like, there are holes in the lower body of a human body too.
"Get out quickly!!"
Thrusting my hand into my hakama and just like that, zurru all at once...
...Yup, let's omit describing it in detail. I've been throwing away my womanhood all day today.
Anyway, with this, like... I think I was able to scrape out all the mucus nesting inside me with this.
"Ah, my Lord! I am sorry! I am sorry!! My desire to return to the womb, or rather my desire to play baby, or rather such pure emotions exploded... before I knew it... fuhihihi!!"
"What pure emotions!! Bring it on, Nubatama!! If you're going to be like that, I'll go with that intent too!!"
We passed the level where talking would suffice long ago.
Since I know Nubatama's weakness is "fire", I won't hold back either!!
...Ah, I just noticed.
Since she materialized, Nubatama is speaking normally. I don't know where the vocal organ is, but she is voicing out normally instead of something like telepathy.
"Hado \#73: Soren Sokatsui!!"
This is like a superior version of Sokatsui, a Kido that burns the opponent to nothing with double the firepower as the name "Twin Lotus" implies.
The blue flames released from both hands crashed directly into the black mucus lump.
"No way!?"
But, it didn't become an effective hit.
It is certainly burning, but deep in that flame is a mucus lump whose surface is only lightly seared. It's only lightly dried, so with this, let alone defeating her, damaging her is impossible.
"Nuhohohoho! My Lord, certainly my weakness is fire, but now it is Bankai, you know!? With this level of firepower, you can't even grill a rare steak! You can enjoy it refreshingly with grated daikon sauce, you know?"
Kuh! That's irritating!!
"Then, Hado \#86: Hiryu Gekizoku Shinten Raiho!!"
The flames that flared up all at once form the shape of a phoenix and are released aiming at Nubatama. It is a flame more powerful than Soren Sokatsui, and with this, it should melt even iron easily, but...
Even though the ground is burnt by high heat and partly crystallized, Nubatama is lively.
"Ooh! Is it a sauna, is it a sauna!? Is there no Löyly service!? Fuhihihi, to burn me, you'd want three thousand degrees."
Sauna!? I didn't have that idea. And Löyly is good too!! Maybe I should include it as a course after massage next time...
Not that!!
Three thousand degrees!? Do you intend to process tungsten!! Even if the power dropped due to abandoning the chant, this is considerable firepower too, you know!?
"Th-Then..."
"Oops! My Lord has already attacked twice! Next is my turn, right?"
I tried to chant Kido still, but Nubatama moved before that.
Just when I thought the solidified mucus spread out baaa as if exploding, the next moment there was a huge cauldron put on fire.
"Kuh!! ...Huh?"
I judged it was some explosive attack and braced myself, but I inadvertently lost strength at the unexpected sight.
From inside the cauldron, a bubbling sound and steam are rising, and it is obvious at a glance that boiling water is being boiled.
"Eye for an eye! Fire for fire! So, it is the 'What's in the Box' game!! Indeed!!"
"...Hah?"
Eh, what is this? Eh? Eh??
"What we prepared this time is this! Kugatachi!! Even if you put your hand in this boiling water, if you are righteous, you will never get burned! Conversely, if you are guilty, you will suffer severe burns; it is a venerable and miraculous item that also appears in the Nihon Shoki!!"
I've heard of that, but... mostly that's a lie, right! Eh? What is this...? Can't I attack while I have the chance??
"...With this, what do you want me to do?"
"Naturally! At the bottom of this hot water, a certain object has sunk! Please answer what it is after picking it up with your hand!!"
...Hah?
...Ah, looking closely, it's boiling and hard to see, but something has sunk...
"Ah, I love the cliché development where you grab a scrubbing brush and answer 'hedgehog'."
"What hedgehog! Generally, a hedgehog at the bottom of boiling water is impossible!!"
I ready my Zanpakuto in anger and try to attack, but...
"Hmm, my Lord was a chicken-chan who runs away from this level... I see, I see, in other words, you were that kind of guy..."
"......I'll do it then!!"
I'm not angry, I'm calm.
Calm enough to execute Shunkou.
Standing in front of the cauldron boiling and raising steam...
"Don't push! Absolutely don't push!!"
Eei! Shut up!! Concentrate, concentrate!!
"...Hah!!"
It was an event of an instant.
Instantly putting my hand into the cauldron, I grabbed the object sunk at the bottom and pulled it up.
If I concentrate my trained body, I won't get burned by this much. Rather, I took it without making a single ripple on the water surface.
"Then, the answer is!?"
"The correct answer is... haah!?"
Looking at the object in my hand, my eyes widened.
Because, it was—
"C... Cream parfait?"
"Correct!!"
—From any angle, it was a cream parfait.
Plenty of chocolate, cream, and fruits, with a spoon attached to the glass bowl, looking very delicious. Touching it with my hand, it is cool.
The sensation of touching the ingredients is all real too. It's not a food sample.
In other words—what is a cream parfait that is cold and hasn't lost its shape at all even though it was pulled up from the bottom of a cauldron of boiling water?
...What is this?
"Then the second question!! This time let's go with the opposite of fire, the cold side!!"
"Wa, wait wait wait wait!! Are you still continuing this stupid development!?"
"Have you forgotten!? My Lord has attacked twice. Then I should also have the right to attack twice!!"
Ugh, if you say that... wait, it's not a turn-based battle game, so there's no need to follow it faithfully!!
Faster than I could complain like that, huge ice objects were born around us.
After that, the incomprehensible variety show-like development continued endlessly.
I was made to sprint full speed on a road where iron bars sprouted from the ground, submerged by a large amount of water attacking me, attacked by a large amount of snakes and frogs, attacked by some sticky floor, stroked all over my body by slimy tentacles, or simply blown up.
I am attacking too, but it has no effect at all...
Slashes are invalid from the start with Shikai, and ice is no good. Reiatsu attacks like wind and earth are also nullified. Fire seems to be a weakness, but since I can't output firepower higher than that, it's effectively nullified...
Every time, I was beaten with "It's my turn!".
Once, when I used Kaido meaning to take a break, I was presented with a large amount of ingredients appearing from nowhere with "Big Eater Challenge!!".
...No matter how delicious, that amount is impossible...
"N-Next is..."
Honestly, I want to go home already. But thinking if I can find some clue for capture, I am accompanying her like this.
Besides, if I go home... what the Captain... will do to me...
We started early in the morning, but it's already midnight now.
As expected, my physical strength is getting tough... reaching the limit soon... I might collapse...
"PASS!! SUCESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!"
Still bracing myself for what was coming, Nubatama suddenly shouted that.
Ringing a handbell garan garan that she got from somewhere. It's not like I won a lottery...
"Pass...?"
"That is right, my Lord!! Thank you for your hard work for a long time!!"
...Hah?
"What do you mean?"
"Let me explain!! My Lord made me acknowledge you!! Therefore..."
"Not that! If this means pass, then what was the stupid development until now!?"
I didn't want to speak words due to fatigue just now, but now my power is full with anger. If you say something strange, I'll shatter you to the particle level immediately!!
"Therefore, that was the test. Passing those splendidly, my Lord showed enough activity to make me acknowledge you! Oh my, I am completely submitting to my Lord, tempering indeed!!"
"That was!?"
No matter how you think about it, I was just being teased!!
"Err, allow me to explain, umpire Nubatama here. First of all, my Lord splendidly overcame my temptation!"
"Ah, that... wait, was that also a test!?"
"Of course!!"
That was, if I had been a little later, I would have been swallowed as is, lost consciousness... and probably melted and disappeared...
"Um, Nubatama... I want to ask a little, but if I had failed at that point...?"
"Do you want to hear?"
"......By any chance, are there several precedents of failure?"
"Umm... my Lord! I apologize, but could you lend me your hands, I don't have enough fingers!!"
"Sorry, never mind."
Ah, this is probably something I shouldn't ask. It's definitely the type of information that makes rice taste bad and prevents sound sleep at night.
"Is that so? Then I will return to the topic! My Lord showed strong will! And next is the test of whether you can master me!!"
...Huh? If it was just showing will, there was no need for Nubatama to come out of me...
"Next, the numerous variety sho—cough cough!! Whether you could pass the tests I presented and possess enough spiritual power to endure! That was the key!!"
"...Variety show is fine already..."
It's careless, but I'll put in a retort for now.
"After all, doing Bankai means mastering me!! You must be able to remain composed without giving up even after being swayed around that much!! 'Frustrating, but body and soul follow my Lord!!' You must not be in a twitching state!!"
"Come to think of it, you were technically a god..."
The perception of being a perverted otaku like in a picture is too strong.
"Well anyway, it's fine that I can acquire Bankai, right?"
"Of course!! ...It seems the time has come to teach my Lord my true handle name..."
"Handle name!?"
As usual, this child's material is somewhat old.
"Oops, it seems the broadcast time has run out! It is about time to say goodbye! Well, sleep soundly today, and please try Bankai the next day or so! After all, my ability is the more you use it, the more effective it is!!"
"Wa! Wait! Name, name!!"
Perhaps the Reiatsu for materialization ran out, I shout in a great panic to the slowly disappearing Nubatama.
Well, if I ask later, she will probably tell me properly, but call it stylistic beauty... I want to hear it here.
"Ooh, I almost forgot!! My name is —————— indeed!!"
So that is your name, I carved it firmly into my heart.
The next day, I tested the power of Bankai Nubatama.
Frankly speaking, I thought it was beyond standard.
Thinking of using this ability a little for massage, I had 19th Seat Heike (she was promoted a little) be a guinea pig, and she said she felt very good.
According to her, "It feels like all the cells in my whole body have been replaced with new ones."
She was a cute girl from before, but she became even more beautiful.
Speaking of that change—
"He proposed to me! Lieutenant, what should I do!?"
—She even consulted me like that.
...No, I don't know. Just get married!
[Reviews - Power St0nes - Comments are highly appreciated to keep me going.....(+50 chapters) patre0n.c0m/talecrafter]