The next morning, Adam woke up after a brief nap and did his usual routine.
His actions last night had caused quite some chaos. He didn't have the opportunity to clean up Aizen's lab and his research data basically was discovered by Captain-Commander and the Central 46 which immediately declared Aizen the highest level criminal, unaware he had already died as even his corpse was devoured by Adam's Bankai.
Also, speaking of Bankai. Adam had obtained all the information about Kyoka Suigetsu and apparently Aizen never learned her Bankai because their bond isn't strong enough. Aizen only ever sees Kyoka Suigetsu as a tool for his ambition while Kyoka Suigetsu is quite a… let's just say quirky Zanpakuto Spirit that desires her wielder's affection.
Anyway, besides Kyoka Suigetsu. Adam also obtained information about the fabled Hogyoku. Unfortunately, the one Aizen had was confiscated before he had an opportunity to retrieve it. But he has a method of creating it in his head. The blueprint of Hogyoku, essentially.
The real name of Hogyoku registered in his System was 'False Heart of God'. As for its ability, it basically functions nearly like a wish granting tool. It grants wishes but the desired wish must be something that the wish owner could achieve. It's basically only giving shortcuts and drawing out the maximum potential of a person. It's like becoming the LV max player as fast as possible but obviously would be weaker than those that climb on their own because shortcuts mean cutting corners.
But, even so, Hogyoku is still very useful. As long as Adam didn't use it as a shortcut tool, Hogyoku itself can accelerate his growth, breaking through limits and transcending boundaries would become easier. Which means, he's gonna steal it from Central 46.
———
A few days later.
As usual, Adam spends his time training in the dojo in the morning with his Zanjutsu instructor. He is laying low as the Aizen incident slowly wraps up.
Today Adam and his instructor dueled after running out of opponents to train Adam. Besides, Adam already reached high mastery of his Zanjutsu and Adam managed to secure a victory against his instructor because his Reiatsu finally catched up and was able to bridge the gap of strength between him and his instructor.
"I see. You have mastered everything. Unfortunately, I have nothing more to train you from today onward. You have become a Master Swordsman yourself." His instructor said with a joyful smile on his face while he wiped the tears of happiness that squeezed out from his eyes.
"It's you that worked hard to instruct me, sensei. Thank you very much." Adam sincerely thanked his instructor.
"Hahaha. No worries. I will leave soon. I have to prepare my gift for you, my disciples." His instructor said before he left, leaving Adam alone in the dojo as he opened his status screen.
Only his Zanjutsu and Hakuda increased in mastery, the rest is the same no matter how he pours his effort to improve them. Except for Kido because to increase mastery, he needed to learn and master the highest rank spells which he hadn't done since he only recently had the capacity to train them but he was busy dealing with stuff like the Hollow invasion and then Aizen.
Adam then continues his training while trying to hatch up a plan to steal Hogyoku. Suddenly, someone appeared behind him and he instantly slashed the one sneaking on him only to cut nothing as his blade phased through like nothing was there.
"Kyoka Suigetsu? How are you here?" Adam looked confused and quickly ordered her to hide only for her to chuckle while hiding her lower face behind the green sleeve.
"Worry not, Master. Only you can see and hear me. After all, I used Hypnosis to appear in your senses." She replied before she paused for a moment and added, "With your permission, of course."
"I don't remember giving you any permission though." Adam sighed.
"Then, do you want me to disappear?" She covers her face and makes a crying sound.
Adam wanted to sigh again. Kyoka Suigetsu is quite affectionate and clingy for whatever reason. At least she wouldn't force herself on him. But she likes to stay next to him and just engage in aimless chatter like right now and in his dream when he took a nap this morning.
It's not that he particularly disliked her. But it's just, they barely meet. However, he also couldn't reject her entirely as Zanpakuto is under her control. If she decides that she suddenly hates him, Kyoka Suigetsu will lose its power and become normal Asauchi.
Basically, he is forced to accommodate Kyoka Suigetsu (Spirit) because she is basically holding the Kyoka Suigetsu (Zanpakuto) hostage in one way or another. So, he has to appease her to continue using Kyoka Suigetsu.
"No…" Adam answered. Basically forced to say it because it's the only answer. "But, I just don't feel comfortable with your closeness. We just barely met after all. I would prefer we take our time to learn from one another before we become closer…"
Kyoka Suigetsu floated over in the air and stood in front of Adam and looked at his eyes while holding his face. Her eyes that radiate madness borne out of love, bore into his eyes as if to show the proof of her obsession.
"My heart is always ready for you, Master. However, if that is what you wished. Then I will obey. After all, I am your power. No matter what you do, until the day you reject me. We will always be together in body, mind and soul." She placed both hands together before her chest and bowed her head.
"Right…" Adam cringed and felt a chill down to his spine on the last part of her speech. He had a feeling that Kyoka Suigetsu might not be enthusiastic when he returned to his wives.
———
For the following day, Adam has been consistent with his normal routine except he actually has been going around putting people under Hypnosis. In order to search for the Hogyoku which he left behind after the battle with Aizen.
Kyoka Suigetsu is actually quite a versatile Zanpakuto especially for someone like Aizen that focuses more on planning and acting in shadow rather than openly. As he could cause others to see what he wished, the Zanpakuto also allowed him to see and feel what the others felt, basically linking senses.
After this thought, Adam felt the chibi Kyoka Suigetsu on his shoulder shaking in joy after being praised. Anyway, he knows where to go and found Hogyoku after hypnotizing a few of the vault guards but apparently only a Captain has access and authorization to enter the vault.
If there is just a password or something, Adam still could sneak in but it requires one to wear a Captain Haori to enter the vault as the haori work essential like a key pass.
Suddenly, Adam paused and reached an epiphany. He just needs to borrow a Captain haori. To do that he needs to hypnotize a Captain which is easier said than done since suddenly showing his Zanpakuto and activating his Shikai is undoubtedly suspicious if he has no reason to do it. So, he just needs a justification to activate his Shikai and put a captain under hypnosis and borrow the Captain haori.
According to Aizen's memories, he hypnotized all the captains and Captain-Commanders during the battle to become a Captain. He used his Shikai there and instantly put everyone under his control and faked his Zanpakuto ability as some kind of water elemental ability.
"Maybe I can do the same?" Adam wonders before he dismissed it. "No, I rather not become a Captain. I only have 6 months left and I still need to learn Quincy technique, Hollowfication and Hollow technique. If I become a Captain, all my time will be occupied on my own duty."
He once again brainstorming and reached an answer.
"I just need to create a commotion as smoke screen and do everything as I previously planned without anyone putting their attention on me." Adam mutters as he recalled Muramasa, Koga Kuchiki's Zanpakuto. "Muramasa should be prefect to create those commotion and this is also a failsafe in case any Captain tried to stop me."
"Yes. This is perfect." Adam declared before he finishes his patrol and went to find Koga Kuchiki.
———
Two days later, Adam continues to put people under hypnosis. He basically have most of the. People in Seireitei under hypnosis and he had someone becoming his body double to copy his routine while he went around to investigate.
Adam had been looking for Koga Kuchiki but he noticed that no one knew where he was imprisoned. Definitely not in the Maggot Nest or the 9th Division prison. However, he managed to find some clue when he hypnotized some old enemies of Koga.
Apparently, Koga Kuchiki is sealed away instead of imprisoned because his Zanpakuto is deemed too dangerous to Seireitei and the wielder himself is not mentally stable.
So, another few days of obtaining and piecing together clues. He found the location where Koga is sealed. It was underground in the middle of nowhere which worked in his favor since some barrier is sufficient to hide the activation of his Bankai.
Though, locating and stealing the Zanpakuto is the easy part. The hard part is to defeat the Zanpakuto Spirit to establish himself as the boss.
"How dare you kill my Master!" Muramasa shouted and charged at Adam with a sword. Adam reflexively pulled out his sword which turn out to be Kyoka Suigetsu and Muramasa grinned. "You fool! You dare using a Zanpakuto against me?" He said before his eyes flashed with a blinding purple light.
Adam didn't bother to block Muramasa's power and let him summon Kyoka Suigetsu out. Who appeared next to him with an astonished look.
"Can he actually make me appear in reality? Isn't this a wonder, Master?" She jumps at Adam and hugs him.
"Sure…" Adam replied with mixed feelings. On one hand, he felt reassured that Muramasa really had no control over the other Zanpakuto Spirit and could convince them to turn against their master. On another hand, Adam doesn't think that he would want Kyoka Suigetsu to have an actual body considering just her being in an illusionary body is tiring enough to deal with.
"You! Why aren't you attacking your Master!"
"Why should I?" Kyoka Suigetsu retorted back and firmly hugged Adam's arm on her plentiful chest.
Muramasa is taken aback when Kyoka Suigetsu has no intention to attack Adam at all. This would render his sole gimmick useless and he is only as good as an average Shinigami without his gimmick.
"Let's get this done quickly. My body is actually dying in the real world." Adam said before he held his Asauchi vertically against Muramasa.
"Shatter." Adam mutters before Kyoka Suigetsu lets go of his arm and nods as her body briefly glows.
The Asauchi turn into Kyoka Suigetsu's Shikai and Adam immediately hypnotized Muramasa before he casually walked behind Muramasa and stabbed the entire length of the blade into his chest.
"Im–possible! To think I was bested by an illusion…" Muramasa held the blade sticking out from his chest and broke the hypnosis which made him realize he was under an illusion from the moment Kyoka Suigetsu unleashed her Shikai.
"Fine, I shall begrudgingly accept you as my new Master." Muramasa spat a mouthful of blood before the Zanpakuto vanished from Muramasa's chest and appeared on Kyoka Suigetsu's hands in a clean and pristine state which she handed back to Adam.
"Then I have a task for you. Don't you want to seek revenge on those men that drove your original Master insane and convicted him with false charges?" Adam asked which made Muramasa petrified momentarily before he cracked his head up to look at Adam while he was still kneeling down.
"Would you allow me this opportunity to seek revenge?" Muramasa said with surprise and disbelief that Adam would let him loose.
"Well, I happen to need someone to create a commotion and distract those Shinigami and you can seek revenge. It's a win-win for both of us. So, why not?" Adam points out to Muramasa who stares at Adam for a while before he smirks. "I see. No wonder your Zanpakuto would have any resentment to attack you." Muramasa mutters with a smile while looking at Kyoka Suigetsu who possessively hugging Adam's right arm before he accepts Adam's order.
"Then, I will be relying on you." Adam nods before the dreamscape vanishes and he returns to reality. But he forgot now Kyoka Suigetsu can materialize in reality thanks to Muramasa.
"Fuck." Adam mutters.
"Ah! Gladly, Master." Kyoka Suigetsu giggled in excitement before trying to undo her kimono but stopped by Adam with a lightning fast reflex.
"No! That's not what I mean!" Adam shouted and quickly asked Muramasa to make Kyoka Suigetsu vanish but Muramasa already left.
"Fu—shit!"
—————
(When using Shikai or Bankai, Reiatsu can be temporarily increased. Like opening the valve bigger for more water to pass through. It doesn't increase Reiryoku as some assumed.
Increased Reiatsu can temporarily increase a Shinigami's attack damage and defense since in any clashes, the one with higher Reiatsu will leave unscathed while the weaker one injured.
However, in previous chapters I said Adam's Reiryoku increased because when he obtained another Zanpakuto, it's like he received another water tank and thus increased his Reiryoku.)