[[This is a translation so please don't hate me for the developments. I will try to remove shitty brainrot scenes with better ones but it is from a MTL ... so please no bashing in the comments for the plot. I am just a translator after all.]]
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How do people communicate with gods?
Blessings, prayers, rituals.
Unlike the Ise Clan who are from a long line of matrilineal Shinto Priests, the Sakahone Shrine, due to its small and remote nature, didn't have many methods to communicate with gods. Akira Kisaragi only knew a few methods.
The most commonly used were prayers and rituals.
The specific methods were taught to him by Nanao Ise.
Having made up his mind, Akira immediately stood up, completely ignoring the strange looks from the Jinzen class teacher and left the dojo with his Asauchi.
As he stepped out, Aizen opened his slightly closed eyes.
Watching Akira's disappearing figure, a look of confusion flashed in his eyes.
What is this guy up to now?
Considering Akira often did inexplicable and unconventional things, skipping class occasionally was no big deal.
"This kid is becoming more and more undisciplined!"
The Jinzen teacher grumbled softly, dissatisfied.
He wanted to stop Akira, but considering the difference in their combat abilities, he swallowed his words.
After all, the sword Akira was holding wasn't a bamboo sword but a real Asauchi.
Although it hadn't yet been infused with the essence of his soul to become a true Zanpakutō, its toughness and sharpness were far beyond that of a bamboo sword.
If this reckless kid got too excited, the Jinzen teacher could end up as a casualty.
For his own safety, it was better to be cautious.
"Teacher, I'll go bring him back."
After some hesitation, Aizen decided to follow Akira to see what he was up to.
With the teacher's permission, he quickly left the dojo.
Following Akira's spiritual pressure trail, Aizen tracked him to the dormitory area.
What he saw next completely shattered his understanding and perception of the world.
Akira had filled the table with protective charms, lit candles, creating an eerie yet sacred atmosphere.
A large black eye was engraved on a nearby banner, and a brass bell rang with a clear, metallic sound.
Carefully, Akira placed his Asauchi in the spot meant for offering to the gods.
Then, under Aizen's puzzled gaze, Akira, usually cheerful and carefree, suddenly became serious and solemn.
He exuded a strong aura of a spiritual medium, like a true shrine priest.
"This guy…"
Aizen thought, "Is he planning to use a ritual to complete Jinzen and communicate with his Zanpakutō?"
Being perceptive, Aizen quickly understood what Akira was trying to do just by observing the preparations. Besides his extensive knowledge, it was also due to his familiarity with Akira.
Because of his unique behavior, Akira only had Aizen as a friend in the Spiritual Arts Academy. But the same was true for Aizen; few dared to associate with Akira due to his unpredictable actions.
"By the name of Kisaragi Akira, I offer this ritual…"
Akira's fingers moved like butterflies, forming strange and sacred hand signs. As he chanted, he also focused his mind on the object of the ritual.
What should the Zanpakutō look like?
Just a simple sword?
Countless images flashed through his mind, only to be shattered by Akira himself.
Although he wasn't sure if this method would work, he knew it couldn't be as simple as imagining a form for the Zanpakutō.
Suddenly, a thought struck him.
Since the Zanpakutō is essentially forged from the Shinigami's soul, could he make himself the object of the ritual?
Communicate with himself.
Akira's eyes grew brighter, reflecting the flickering candle flames like stars forming in the night sky.
Having decided on the object of the ritual, he used the Asauchi as a medium to proceed with the ritual.
As the brass bell rang, a strong wind suddenly filled the room, lifting objects into the air and causing them to collide and break.
Akira poured his spiritual pressure into the bell, using it to awaken the "god" he needed to communicate with.
In that moment, it felt as if an invisible thread connected his soul with the Asauchi.
Aizen's eyes widened in disbelief. The usually calm and composed boy was now filled with shock.
It actually worked.
Using a ritual instead of traditional Jinzen to communicate with the Zanpakutō.
How did Akira come up with such an outrageous idea?
Akira's spiritual pressure surged, becoming almost tangible and filling the entire room with its oppressive force. The wooden floor cracked, wallpaper and walls were torn apart by the wind, and objects were shredded into pieces.
The loudest sound in the room wasn't the howling wind but the heavy thumping from Akira's chest.
It was—
The beating of his heart!
It sounded like thunder crashing in his chest, as if it would burst out at any moment.
Aizen's expression changed repeatedly.
Indeed, breaking the rules could lead to completely different results.
By taking an unconventional path, Akira had reached an unprecedented situation.
Even with his perfect scores in history, Aizen had never heard of anyone experiencing such a dramatic change after communicating with their Zanpakutō.
Akira's spiritual pressure continued to rise, reaching the level of a seated officer in the Gotei-13.
Spiritual Pressure: lv45
(t/n: this is system version which is 45/100 assuming lv 100 is peak captain level.)
Twelve levels of spiritual power!
(t/n: this is the og version used by soul society. It has 20 ranks and goes from 20 to 1 with captains having minimum 3rd rank spiritual pressure)
Akira's eyes turned white, his expression dazed, like a wooden puppet.
His consciousness, however, had entered a completely unfamiliar space.
More accurately, it was—
His Inner World!
[Sign-in conditions met]
[Location sign-in: Zanpakutō space]
[Spiritual pressure level +1, current level: lv46]
[Exclusive trait acquired: Light as a Feather]
[Light as a Feather: Increases agility by 50%!]
Hearing the familiar voice in his ears, Akira looked at the boundless world before him, his confidence swelling.
Indeed—
Rituals were his specialty!
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[[This is a translation so please don't hate me for the developments. I will try to remove shitty brainrot scenes with better ones but it is from a MTL ... so please no bashing in the comments for the plot. I am just a translator after all.]]