"Shikai signifies the acknowledgment of one's inner strength," he began.
"Bankai, however, demands true mastery over that inner power."
His gaze swept over the four people standing before him, maintaining a calm tone: "Each zanpakuto has a unique personality."
"But the initial step is always the same."
"And that is to manifest the zanpakuto and then subdue it."
"I'm already aware of Byakuya's situation."
"How about the three of you? What level have you reached?"
Gin Ichimaru raised his hand and, with a cheerful smile, asked, "Excuse me, what exactly does manifestation mean? Is it about seeing the true form of the zanpakuto within the inner world?"
Naruto also seemed puzzled.
Ginrei Kuchiki shook his head, "Of course not."
"Manifestation means that when we engage in dialogue with the zanpakuto spirit, we don't need to enter the inner world."
"Instead, we summon the spirit to our world."
Naruto was taken aback.
Summon the blade into the real world?
"Is that truly possible?" Gin Ichimaru lifted his own sword.
Ginrei Kuchiki continued softly, "Of course it is."
He glanced at Naruto, then at Gin Ichimaru.
These two geniuses seemed to have come from "Rukongai."
As for Tosen Kaname, the vice-captain of the ninth division, he hadn't heard much about him before, likely also originating from "Rukongai."
He pondered for a moment and then added, "There are some things you may not have heard about."
"Do you know the difference between 'Reiatsu' and 'Reiryoku'?"
Naruto, like the others, shook his head.
"Reiatsu" and "Reiryoku" were not unfamiliar terms; the latter was more common, and the former was something heard during admissions and when appointed as a captain, but their differences were not clearly explained in the textbooks of Shin'o Academy.
"Reiatsu is the most commonly used term now," Ginrei Kuchiki began to explain. "It measures the strength of one's spiritual power."
"Whereas Reiryoku measures the density of spiritual particles."
"The reason the third-level spiritual pressure is seen as the standard for captains..."
"...is precisely because the spiritual density at this level reaches a critical point, resulting in a qualitative transformation."
Naruto pondered deeply.
He had learned about the "three states of matter" from Kisuke Urahara before.
Listening to Ginrei Kuchiki's explanation now, he drew parallels.
Thus, the reason for assessing 'spiritual pressure' upon admission is because only those with a spiritual density of the '20th level' can become Shinigami.
In that case, is it fair to say that...
For those beyond the 20th level, their spiritual power is in a 'gaseous' state. Within the 20th level, it's 'liquid,' and above the third level, it's 'solid'?
"So, do not doubt yourselves. You all have this capability," Ginrei Kuchiki continued warmly. "But also prepare mentally, as even for geniuses, this requires a substantial amount of time."
"Byakuya has been studying with me for half a year now and hasn't even approached the threshold."
Byakuya Kuchiki lowered his head.
Ginrei went on to introduce the method of 'manifestation.'
Speaking of which, it is simple: using one's 'spiritual particles' to shape the zanpakuto in the real world. This concept bore a resemblance to Kisuke Urahara and Mayuri Kurotsuchi's teachings.
However, the more Naruto listened, the more he frowned.
He had thought that a zanpakuto's 'Bankai' was an introspective enhancement.
Through training for 'Bankai,' he had hoped to also perform the final step of the technique left by his father — overcoming the dark forces within himself and Kurama.
But he didn't expect that the ultimate liberation of the zanpakuto was related to 'reality.'
The relationship between him and Kurama differed from the usual relationship between a Shinigami and their zanpakuto.
Although one 'Four Symbols Seal' had been undone...
Another 'Four Symbols Seal' still bound his body, imprisoning both Kurama and him.
"The Sixth Division's barracks are available for you to use freely." Ginrei Kuchiki smiled kindly, "I've said enough, let's begin now."
'Zen Training' is an ongoing practice for Shinigami.
It is also the first step toward 'Bankai.'
Naruto entered his inner world: "Kurama, did you hear that?"
"Of course." Kurama's voice held a hint of expectation, "Does this mean I might be able to escape using this method?"
Naruto shook his head. "I don't know, but we can give it a try."
Kurama, a bit more open now, replied, "I'll do my best to cooperate with you."
Together, they—a boy and a fox—began to experiment.
Yet, "materialization" really was as challenging as Ginrei Kuchiki had described. Despite Kurama's power being able to emerge from Naruto's body, an invisible barrier seemed to prevent it from taking a solid form in reality.
Naruto was unable to determine whether they were facing failure in "materialization" itself or interference from the "Four Symbols Seal."
Their companions weren't progressing any smoother.
No signs of "materialization" were showing at all.
It wasn't until nightfall that Ginrei reminded them to halt and rest, noting the futility of rushing their efforts. The art of Bankai would not bend to haste; hurrying would only hamper progress.
Naruto treated everyone to a meal at an izakaya within the Seireitei.
Since they were close in age, conversation flowed easily among them.
Tōsen Kaname appeared more mature, but realistically, he was only "a century" older than Naruto, not much older compared to Byakuya or Gin.
Sitting on the roof of their quarters, Naruto gazed up at the moon.
His mind was preoccupied with thoughts of "manifestation."
He also pondered Tōsen Kaname.
"Lieutenant Tōsen joined the Thirteen Court Guard Squads long before me," he remarked to Kurama.
His first impression of Tōsen was rather positive.
Someone who could befriend a big dog surely couldn't have any malicious intentions, right?
Even though Tōsen was quieter than Byakuya during their chats at the izakaya, his occasional words conveyed sincerity and reliability.
Admittedly, there was something quite unique about him.
Kurama nodded, "His talent is slightly below you three kids.'
"I'm not talking about talent," Naruto shook his head. "Do you remember our initial conjecture?"
Kurama paused, recalling, "You mean the speculation regarding that unseen enemy's abilities? He needed visual contact for his illusions to work."
Tōsen suffers from "impaired vision," unable to see."
Naruto nodded thoughtfully, "Yes, but if that's truly the case..."
"Wouldn't Deputy Captain Tōsen be the perfect counter to that enemy?"
Kurama chimed in with excitement, "Are we going to pull him in to help find that person?"
"He joined the Gotei 13 long before I did," Naruto reiterated, "but I always took note of him."
"That invisible enemy must be even more wary of those who are blind."
"Would he really not notice?"
This unseen enemy was outrageously audacious.
To pursue something like 'hollowfication', he even dared to strike against several captains and vice-captains.
Naruto couldn't believe
if that person knew someone was immune to their ability, they would remain indifferent and not make a move.
Unless there are two possibilities.
Either that ability doesn't require sight to activate.
Or
he has already resolved the issue.
"He's from the Ninth Division," Kurama added thoughtfully, "now a vice-captain, but back then his rank in the Ninth Division shouldn't have been low."
Kurama recalled clearly, the first to get into trouble that day was Muguruma Kensei and his Ninth Division.
"I'll have Jinryūemon prepare the records," Naruto decided, standing up and leaping down.
In less than three hours, the files were on the desk, containing the Ninth Division's mission logs from that time.
Naruto flipped through them, and as he reached the records of that specific day, his pupils distinctly widened.
Twelve years ago, while Tōsen was fifth seat in the Ninth Division, he indeed accompanied Muguruma Kensei, stationed at the site where souls vanished in the Rukongai.
That night, the Ninth Division suffered heavy losses, nearly thirty officers died, including numerous ranking members like the third and fourth seats.
Only three survived.
Captain Kensei Muguruma and Vice-Captain Mashiro Kuna escaped.
Only Kaname Tōsen remained in the Ninth Division.
Naturally, this caught the attention of Shunsui Kyōraku, who was responsible for investigating the incident.
However, after the questioning, he was found to have no suspicion whatsoever.
Kaname Tōsen stated that on that night, he was sent on patrol by the captain, and by the time he returned, the ground was littered with the corpses of Ninth Division members, with the captain and vice-captain nowhere to be found.
As for other details, he claimed to have seen nothing.
The Eighth Division collected the traces and confirmed that his account was accurate.
As a result, he was acquitted and quickly released, even taking on the role of vice-captain of the Ninth Division—after all, of the senior officers, he was the only one left.
"So many people died, and he was the only survivor." Kurama mumbled, "He's quite suspicious."
After going through the files.
Naruto now had two hypotheses.
One was that the 'invisible enemy' was Kaname Tōsen himself.
A 'blind' person whose Zanpakutō's ability works against those with 'sight' didn't seem too far-fetched.
Or it was just like their original thought.
The invisible enemy had already recruited Tōsen, turning a 'problem' into an 'asset'.
In the Ninth Division quarters.
Sōsuke Aizen, accompanied by Gin, moved silently, and without exception, even the members they brushed past didn't notice their presence.
In the vice-captain's chamber, the door was pushed open.
Kaname Tōsen rose to the presence he sensed at the door, immediately greeted, "Lord Aizen."
"Kaname," Aizen smiled, "I just learned some news."
"The mission logs from the Ninth Division during that period were taken by Naruto."
Tōsen hesitated for a moment.
"It seems he's noticed you."
Aizen walked to the wall, opened a long-shut window, and looked up at the moon.
"Even if only through reflection, it still casts light."
"Though not strong, it's enough to reveal some hidden things."
(End of Chapter)