Chapter 138 - 138: Ichigo and his Bankai

The storyline returned to its original structure with minor changes. Not all my Mokuton seeds were destroyed so I heard much of the plans from the gossiping Shinigami walking to and from the halls. Apparently, Aizen was being looked for and Rukia was scheduled to be executed and like the original, the date for her execution was pushed ahead. What I don't understand is, why isn't Aizen being hunted and not looked for? I guess I didn't really reveal treachery just trickery that Aizen has committed.

The place I flashed to was the entrance of the other hidden playground that Yoruichi and Urahara originally made in Soul Society when they were training. Here, Ichigo is going through a hurried training to gain his Bankai (Second Release). While here, Ichigo has to battle the multiple copies of Zangetsu in order to find the real one. If Ichigo remembered what I said to him before he should realize that he is already wielding Zangetsu. I walked through the entrance and saw Renji also training, he must have already told Ichigo about Rukia's accelerated execution.

I walked towards the edge of the cliff where Yoruichi was sitting while watching over Ichigo. I cover her eyes with my hands and whisper in her ear.

Sage: Guess who, my pretty kitty?

Yoruichi: How did you know I was the black cat? I certainly don't sound nor look the same, Sage.

Sage: Ding ding, correct. Well, I knew that you were no ordinary cat, but I could immediately tell by your scent. So, what is Ichigo doing with all those swords? (Like I didn't already know)

Yoruichi: Well since you could tell who I am, then you can tell what he's doing.

Sage: Hmmmmmm (I said while rubbing her behind her ear), looks like Bankai training to me.

Yoruichi: (With raised eyebrows) And how did you deduce that?

Sage: (While still petting her) Well, his Reiatsu has increased, he's no longer holding his original Zanpakuto and the fact that he's fighting something similar to a Zanpakuto spirit.

Yoruichi: From the sound of it you achieved what you wanted and got yourself a Zanpakuto, huh?

Sage: Yup. (I showed her) 100% Real.

Yoruichi: Don't you wanna try Bankai as well?

Yoruichi: You are that confident that you have achieved Bankai despite just receiveing a Zanpakuto? You're too naïve. Bankai is not so easily gained just because you can communicate with your Zanpakuto. It takes years of training.

Sage: True, yet here you are giving Ichigo the shortcut anyway. I on the other hand, literally watched it be made and helped in the forging process, so I might have an advantage towards using my Zanpakuto.

Yoruichi: Then let Ichigo achieve Bankai and we will take it from there.

Since the execution has been rushed and Ichigo is more motivated now to achieve Bankai, I took the few short days to train with Shinigami, my Zanpakuto. From the Mokuton seeds, they have yet to find Aizen but the news didn't get any better. Since Aizen left Momo Hinamori, his Lieutenant, a will, stating that Hitsugaya Toshiro, the Tenth Division Captain, was the one responsible for his demise, she went to look for Toshiro to kill him in revenge. Apparently she didn't hear the news that Aizen was still alive, it could actually make it worse if she did find out he was alive considering how she practically worshipped Aizen.

Hinamori would most likely defect if she knew he was alive so the the best course is to let her believe he is dead for now and let the story ride it out. From the commotion though, they also realized that Ichimaru was also a part of Aizen's plan since he already fought with Toshiro. Since they could take care of their own, there's no point in meddling in the small details.

Ichigo finally figured out his Bankai, so I guess he was at least a little bit ready to perform with it. Renji already left to fight Byakuya, since I already know the results I could care less, it's not like he will die. Yourichi called me over to test out Ichigo and his new strength, new to him. Before we started I put up a barrier to withstand anything that this world could throw at it, unless they had a special ability to break through barriers.

Ichigo: Sage-san, don't be too surprised when you see my Bankai. I will try to take it easy on you.

Sage: Haha, did Yoruichi tell you already that I also have a Zanpakuto?

Ichigo: Yeah, she also said that you just got it.

Sage: And?! That's it, nothing else?

Ichigo: Nothing.

Sage: Wow, she is being mean to you. Ok then, if you're that confident let me be the one to crush you first.

Ichigo: Ha, you can try, BANKAI! Tensa Zangetsu! (Heaven Chain Slaying Moon)

A whirlwind of Reiatsu surrounded Ichigo as he donned a black coat over his Shinigami Kimono. His previously oversized Zanpakuto became a normal katana but entirely black except that it now has a proper Tsuba (Guard) with a Buddhist Swatzika design, the Samehada (Shark or Ray skin) was red, Habaki (Blade Collar), Fuchi (Collar), Tsuka (Handle) and Kashiri (Pommel). The blade had a small black chain on the pommel like I have the red rope with the golden skulls on mine. Instead of a grandiose Bankai like many of the Captains, Ichigo's is compact, letting him move at high speed and still retain the power of a Bankai.

Sage: I see, so it's compact. Nice. As a courtesy I will do the first release and we will go from there. Claim his Life! Shinigami!

The moment I released my Shinigami from Shikai the atmosphere in the cavern changed. Yoruichi, who was spectating the entire thing was visibly shaking. My Shikai gave an overwhelmingly powerful force of Reiatsu than Ichigo's current Bankai as the gale force winds pushed him yards away.

Ichigo: To think that you would already attack me. So, your Bankai is like mine, compact.

Ichigo started the training by attacking first. I didn't see a need to go to Bankai so I stayed as I am. I received his attack very casually without even breaking the ground I was standing on, and pushed him away. Ichigo was forced back far, almost as if I hit him away. When he finally regained his balance he was close to the wall of the cavern. He took a look at his surroundings and had an almost hopeless look in his eyes. It looks like he gulped down whatever notion of fear I instilled in him when I warded him off because he came at me again. I smiled as I increased the pressure on him with every clash of our Zanpakuto.

Ichigo: What the hell?! Every time we cross blades it gets harder to breathe. Is that the ability of his Zanpakuto?

Sage: No, it's not.

I swung horizontally pushing Ichigo further. If I swung too hard I might break his sword while in Bankai. A Zanpakuto broken in Bankai will always stay broken, according to Oetsu, since Bankai is a Zanpakuto's final form.

Yoruichi: Ichigo! Stop thinking that he is an amateur! Go all out or he will easily overtake you!

Ichigo: What?! Dammit!! What was all that training for if I am this far behind someone who just got their Zanpakuto?!

Sage: Fool! Let go of that notion! The sword is you, you are the sword! Let go of any incoherent thought! Sense my existence not my power. You are a Shinigami, a Shinigami senses life and death.

I put more pressure on Ichigo but this time I added gravity. Not only was he having a hard time breathing, he could barely stand. The more pressure I applied the less Ichigo could move until eventually he could not move at all. Ichigo was screaming to "move, move!" to his motionless body, until he started to black out and a Hollow mask started to form on his face. This was my aim, for Ichigo to get used to his Hollow early so he can move past it and control it because his Hollow is his Zanpakuto spirit at the same time while the young Yhwach is his Quincy powers. My smile didn't go away as Yoruichi wanted to stop the fight but I signaled her not to. Now I can get a little bit of training in since he will be unrestrained. Good thing I have Senzu Beans when I beat him down.