After killing the strange monkey, Ito Makoto followed Oi Rimi's method to open the Senkaimon and stepped through it, beginning his return journey to Soul Society.
He was quite satisfied with his first true Shikai battle.
Although he had heard the call of his Zanpakuto since the first time he held the Asauchi that Ikkaku had found for him, this was still his first proper Shikai. His understanding of how to use this blade remained superficial.
However, one thing was certain.
The upper limit of his Zanpakuto was extremely high.
That alone made him deeply satisfied.
...
At the same time.
Deep beneath Central 46 in Seireitei, within the underground Great Spirit Book Repository.
Inside the projection chamber, Aizen Sōsuke, clad in a Captain's haori, stood alongside Tōsen Kaname and Ichimaru Gin. The three of them had secretly observed the entire battle between Ito Makoto and the strange monkey in real time, completely unnoticed by Central 46.
"Ito Makoto, huh. An interesting Zanpakuto."
Aizen pushed up his glasses and smiled faintly.
Tōsen Kaname spoke in a low voice.
"Lord Aizen, this Arrancar creation is more advanced than before…"
...
"All unowned Asauchi in Seireitei are stored here. At present, there are more than nine hundred in stock. Take your time. You are bound to find one that suits you. Remember, feel it with your heart."
Sanada Yūsuke, the old Shinigami responsible for guarding the armory, smiled patiently as he explained.
Madarame Ikkaku and Ayasegawa Yumichika stood quietly to the side, waiting.
Ito Makoto gazed at the twelve massive cabinets before him, each filled with dozens of Asauchi.
Most of them were of standard design.
Only a small number differed slightly, with longer or shorter blades, unusual curvature, or special patterns engraved on the tsuba.
He slowly circled the cabinets several times.
Then he closed his eyes.
He began to communicate with the power deep within his soul, the presence known as Annihilation God.
The release of a Zanpakuto, whether Shikai or Bankai, was essentially the manifestation of a Shinigami's soul.
The Asauchi merely served as a medium.
Through it, one released the power hidden deep within.
Shikai and Bankai were simply different levels of that manifestation.
By closing his eyes and opening himself inwardly, Ito Makoto was allowing Annihilation God to choose its own vessel.
His consciousness drifted.
The world spun.
When he opened his eyes again, he found himself standing in a dim forest. A tall figure stood firmly before him.
"Is this the Great Hollow Forest?"
Ito Makoto realized he was standing there in human form.
"No… this is my inner world."
Understanding struck him instantly.
He looked closely at the figure.
It was tall and burly, its black body covered in swirling dark-golden lightning patterns that extended up to the mask on its face.
The pale white mask stretched backward, connecting to grotesque centipede-like armor.
"The manifestation of my soul is… my main body."
Ito Makoto was briefly stunned.
Then he understood.
He was originally a clone created by the main body.
They shared consciousness and origin.
Naturally, the essence of his soul would mirror the main body.
"You've finally come."
The figure spoke slowly.
Or rather, Annihilation God spoke, wearing the form of the main body.
...
Inside the armory, Ito Makoto slowly opened his tightly closed eyes.
Guided by the voice in his soul, he walked toward the front-left cabinet and reached out.
He selected a standard Asauchi.
The blade was identical to most Gotei Thirteen swords.
The only difference was the long, thin red threads wrapped around the tsuka-ito.
"Is this your choice, Annihilation God…"
Looking at the unremarkable sword, Ito Makoto felt slightly puzzled.
Yet since it had been chosen, it naturally had its reason.
"Ah, finally done."
Madarame Ikkaku leaned lazily on his Zanpakuto and yawned.
"Let's go back already. The Captain is waiting."
"Sorry, sorry. Don't rush, Ikkaku-senpai. I'm ready now."
Ito Makoto smiled apologetically.
He had indeed taken quite some time.
After Sanada Yūsuke led the three out of the armory, he carefully closed the heavy door.
"Seal."
He shouted softly and formed a series of hand signs, activating a special Kido on the reinforced gate.
After finishing, he turned and looked seriously at Ito Makoto.
"If your Asauchi is ever damaged beyond repair, you may apply to come here again."
"However, under normal circumstances, as long as you are in sync with your sword, damage caused in battle will gradually repair itself using your spiritual power."
"A damaged Shikai can also recover in this way, but…"
He paused.
Then he looked directly into Ito Makoto's eyes.
"When you master Bankai, you must be extremely careful."
"A Bankai is the ultimate manifestation of a Shinigami's soul. Once damaged, it is permanently damaged. It cannot be repaired."
"Thank you, Sanada-senpai. I understand."
Ito Makoto bowed sincerely.
Although he already knew this as a transmigrator, he appreciated the old man's kindness.
Sanada Yūsuke had heard of Ito Makoto's deeds.
He recognized his potential.
That was why he had spoken so patiently.
If it had been an ordinary Squad Member, he would have dismissed them long ago.
After all, Ito Makoto's feat of slaying a Menos Grande and saving all students and examiners during the Soul Burial assessment had already shaken Seireitei.
Some busybodies had even begun calling him and Ichimaru Gin the "Twin Geniuses."
Many claimed he would become a Captain sooner or later.
"Tch. Old Man Sanada, since when did you become so polite?"
Ikkaku scowled.
"When I chose my sword, you didn't treat me like this."
"Hmph."
Sanada Yūsuke snorted.
"That's because back then, I didn't believe you could ever master Bankai."
"And even if a brute like you did, you wouldn't cherish it properly."
Then he pointed at Yumichika.
"And you, who deliberately mispronounce your Zanpakuto's name, are even more disgusting."
"You two are no better than your stupid Captain, who only knows how to slash people and can't even hear his own Zanpakuto's voice."
With that, Sanada Yūsuke flicked his sleeve and walked away without looking back.
He left behind a furious Ikkaku and an indignant Yumichika.
"Hey, you old geezer! Don't run!"
"Fight us if you've got guts!"
"I'll kill you!"
Ito Makoto, veins popping slightly, grabbed the two of them before they could charge forward.
He looked quietly in the direction Sanada Yūsuke had left.
"This old man… is not simple."
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