Bleach: From Rugum to Thousand-Year Captain

“Captain Kuchiki, this kind of aura is a combination of killing intent and cutting techniques, which is not strange at all.”

"When our Second Division, the Covert Operations, is training its members, we need to operate in the shadows. Some members need to rest and recuperate after a killing to eliminate the killing intent. Killing intent is a burden for the Covert Operations."

"The Eleventh Division members are skilled at killing, accumulating killing intent within themselves to intimidate enemies and increase their own power. Members of other divisions will instinctively repel the Eleventh Division members when they approach them."

"It's not that I hate the Eleventh Division members, but I'm instinctively avoiding the aura they exude after their killings."

"The killing intent emanating from Captain Tengetsu is even purer. It is the will to release the accumulated killing intent after killing, and then to guide the soul with his Zanpakuto during the battle."

Third Division Captain Iwahara Kinro nodded, agreeing with Shihouin Chiaki's statement.

"Not everyone is a prodigy who can easily unleash their Zanpakuto completely. The heroes of Rukongai do not use Bankai to maximize the power of their Zanpakuto."

"Instead, they use Zanpakuto to directly release their own soul and will through the Zanpakuto. Even if they cannot use Bankai, they can still reach the strength of a captain. I have seen no fewer than ten such beings."

"By merging with the Zanpakuto amidst slaughter, one releases one's will and thus transcends everything. In this way, one completes the training of Bankai."

"Compared to the sword Zen taught at the Shinigami Academy, I don't know how the two methods of directly connecting Zanpakuto are superior or inferior, but it is clear that our first captains all trained in this way to achieve Bankai."

Kuchiki Ginryo was astonished upon hearing about Yan Yuanjinle's method of practicing Bankai.

This was the first time he had ever heard of a training method for Zanpakuto that allowed one to learn Bankai simply by practicing Zanpakuto techniques.

In order to become the captain of the Sixth Division, Kuchiki Ginrin trained day and night and used the Kuchiki family's spiritual power monitoring device to measure her spiritual power.

Once you reach the third level of spiritual power at the captain level, you will immediately prepare to start learning Bankai.

Practice in a meditation room, abstaining from all three meals a day for complete asceticism.

Constantly engaging in inner dialogue, and sharing stories with one's Zanpakuto.

In the spiritual realm, they wield their Zanpakuto and battle with their swords, day after day, year after year.

It took him three and a half months to learn Bankai, and even then, he barely managed to master it.

After that, one still needs to diligently train for another one or two decades to continuously consolidate the power of Bankai.

The first captains did not rely on Bankai in combat when using Zanpakuto.

Because from the moment they received the Asakasa, or even before that, heroes wielded their swords to kill.

There is a period of vacuum before the release of the Zanpakuto.

The Grim Reapers sent by the Academy can be slowly honed, waiting for the vacuum period to pass.

However, the heroes raised in Rukongai will not wait for you to rest.

Once they show signs of fatigue, they will be torn to shreds by the enemy.

The first captains who survived in such a brutal environment spent far more time wielding their swords than learning about them.

Swinging the sword has become an instinct; releasing the Zanpakuto is merely an added bonus.

Using Bankai in battle is only necessary in life-or-death situations.

Otherwise, they generally wouldn't use Bankai, as it would spoil the fun of the battle.

"How...how cruel!"

The second-generation captains, including Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro, expressed their incomprehension but respected the will of the first-generation captains, refraining from rebuttal and offering their own opinions.

Lu Qubaiyunzhai did not keep everyone waiting for long, and returned after a minute.

Having obtained Zaraki's broken Zanpakuto, he arrived at the First Division training ground and threw the Zanpakuto towards Zaraki like an arrow.

The Zanpakuto whistled sharply as it sliced ​​through the air, but Zaraki didn't even look at where it came from.

He took a small step to the side, reached out with his right hand to grab the air, and the Zanpakuto was caught in his hand, without caring at all whether the blade would cut his skin.

The moment he obtained the Zanpakuto, the immense golden spiritual pressure within Zaraki's body began to stir.

Dust began to swirl around Zaraki's body and gradually spread outwards.

A frenzied aura emanated from Zaraki's eyes and his Zanpakuto, a power that was completely unbelievable for a young boy.

"The spiritual pressure within Zaraki's body is still increasing—fifth-rank spiritual power, fourth-rank spiritual power, third...third-rank spiritual power! This boy possesses captain-level spiritual pressure, and it shows no signs of weakening or stopping. It's terrifying!!!"

The one speaking was Ryuhei Ise. The spiritual pressure that Zaraki was releasing was already close to his normal spiritual pressure.

In other words, he, as the team captain, was going to be outdone.

Sure enough, each wave is stronger than the last, and the new wave washes the old wave away on the beach.

Others are still young. If they put in a little effort to train and unleash their Zanpakuto, they could easily surpass me.

Of course, Zaraki's current power is amazing, but that's all.

This level of power goes without saying, let alone the original captains.

Even second-generation captains of the caliber of Kyoraku Shunsui, Ukitake Jushiro, and Kuchiki Ginryu.

With a slight increase in spiritual pressure, he could easily crush Zaraki without even needing to unleash his Zanpakuto.

"Captain-Commander Yamamoto, what do you think of that boy named Zaraki's potential?"

"Chōjirō, do you need to ask me about this? If that Zaraki boy is only capable of this much, then he is clearly not qualified to be Kenpachi."

"Of course, we cannot deny that boy's talent; with a little nurturing, his future is promising."

Seeing that Captain-Commander Yamamoto had said so, everyone was even more eager for the battle between Amatsuki Suzaku and Zaraki.

Everyone knows that, given Tengetsu Quezai's personality, he would never personally torture and kill a child who has just reached the captain level; Tengetsu Quezai disdains doing so.

Kyoraku Shunsui nodded; "I know Zaraki's power very well. His spiritual pressure fluctuates wildly, making him unpredictable. Sometimes a single attack can threaten me, and other times it's just a childish outburst. I imagine there's an even greater power hidden within Zaraki. I'm really looking forward to it!"

Chiaki Shihōin: "I almost forgot, when we were on a mission in Zaraki Ward, Kyōraku and Zaraki had a little sparring session. Kyōraku almost got chopped down by Zaraki when he wasn't careful, and his beloved straw hat was even destroyed. Isn't that terrible?"

"Hey! Captain Shifuin, a hero doesn't dwell on past glories, but I still have some pride!"

When everyone saw Kyoraku Shunsui's innocent expression, they found it somewhat amusing.

I should tease you, Kyoraku Shunsui. It's one thing to like slacking off.

She's still trying to act young, wandering around the Gotei 14 (Imperial Guardhouse) every day in a flowery dress and a straw hat. It's really outrageous.

"Enough talk, the fight's about to begin!!!"

Everyone quickly focused their attention on the upcoming battle.

When Tengetsu Sukusai saw Zaraki continuously increasing his spiritual pressure, he nodded and clapped his hands in approval of the other's wise move.

"Hmm, not bad, your strength has improved quite a bit. But it's still not enough. You should know that my strength surpasses yours, right? You haven't fully unleashed your power yet. Are you underestimating me?"

"Don't worry about killing me, unleash your full power and enjoy this precious battle!"

The young boy, Zangmu, stared intently at Tengetsu Chosai with dead fish eyes, completely clueless about mobilizing spiritual power.

He wields his sword entirely based on feeling and instinct, and has no concept of spiritual pressure strength.

Once he got into character, the young boy, Zaraki, smiled broadly and laughed heartily.

He raised his Zanpakuto high, and the power within him surged continuously as his emotions were stirred!

"Okay!!! I won't bully you anymore, come on! Tatak!"

Tengetsu Quezai did not mobilize any spiritual power within his body; he fought solely through his physical body and sword techniques.

If he directly used his spiritual pressure, no matter how much power the young Zaraki increased, he would be easily defeated by Amaterasu Sussai, which would be too boring.

Tengetsu Sukusai raised his left hand high, palm facing down as if it were a knife, and chopped down at the young man, Zaraki.

The wind pressure from his left hand slashing downwards immediately struck the boy, Zaraki, and the vertical slash disrupted the First Division's training ground, interfering with everyone's vision.

The gust of wind lashed directly at the young Zaraki, tearing a gash in his brand-new custom-made Shinigami uniform and striking his chest.

The wind pressure tore a small gash in the chest of the young Zaraki, but he didn't care about the injury at all.

He exerted force directly and suddenly, exposing his upper body and revealing countless terrifying scars shaped like centipedes.

When the captains saw the countless scars on Zaraki's body, they never imagined that the honor of warriors would be concentrated on such a young boy.

It seems this young man is also a battle-hardened warrior.

Retsu Unohana remained silent, but deep down she hoped that Kenpachi Zaraki would become the captain of the 11th Division and the next Kenpachi.

The title of Kenpachi should rightfully belong to Zaraki.

However, Retsu Unohana was also disappointed; it was truly embarrassing that Zaraki's power was so weak.

Retsu Unohana sincerely hopes that the young Kenpachi should fully unleash his power and then personally take Kenpachi from his hands once again, becoming the true Kenpachi, the Kenpachi in all his rightful place.

However, the young Zaraki's power is now completely insufficient to meet her requirements, and even if it were to reach its original level, Unohana does not believe that she is still qualified to fight the young Zaraki with her sword.

Defeat is defeat, that's a fact. The weak have no right to dictate the fate of the strong.

Tengetsu Sukusai's attack wasn't even a warm-up; it was merely a strike aimed at the young Zaraki's power.

He slowly pulled out the divine essence, his eyes utterly cold.

The blade of the divine weapon gleamed with a deep, silvery-white light, a light that did not come after its initial release.

That was the Zanpakuto that sensed Tengetsu Sussai's fighting spirit, responding to its master's will.

"Come on!!! Tataka open!!!"

Instantly, Tengetsu Sukusai stood still and unleashed three invisible sword strikes, the Zanpakuto transforming into three silver-white rattlesnakes.

The wildly flailing body lunged at the young Zaraki, causing him an intense stinging pain between the eyebrows.

Kyoraku Shunsui and Ukitake Jushiro recognized Tengetsu Sussai's move; they had been badly taught a lesson by it before.

These three attacks are pure sword pressure, which is compressed by slashing and then released after being forcibly stopped at the tail.

It is a power-building technique similar to whipping, and also a type of slashing technique.

This kind of sword pressure, if the enemy directly uses a sword to block it.

The sword pressure will penetrate directly through the blade, causing considerable injury.

"You think I'd fall for that, Tengetsu Sukuzhai! I won't fall for the same trick twice!"

The young Zaraki held a single sword in his right hand, subconsciously gathering his spiritual pressure on the Zanpakuto's blade, and swung it directly at the eerie serpentine sword pressure.

Even the strongest sword pressure is merely a slash of compressed air, and naturally cannot collide with spiritual pressure slashes.

After the eerie serpentine sword pressure was shattered by the spiritual pressure slash, the boy Zaraki saw that his attack had worked and immediately began to run towards Tengetsu Suzaku.

Young Zaraki doesn't know any techniques other than slashing, so Tengetsu Sussai wouldn't use any Shunpo to fool a fool; that would be pointless.