A Zanpakuto's form and abilities are modeled after the soul of the Shinigami who wields it.
This is the basic definition recorded in the textbooks of the Shin'o Academy, outlining the most fundamental concept of a Zanpakuto.
However, as Senju Makoto became a true Shinigami, and through his knowledge of the spiritual body gained from both Kido and medical expertise, he was able to understand Zanpakuto on a deeper level. He began to summarize additional patterns regarding their nature.
The system by which Zanpakuto are categorized in the Soul Society is primarily divided into two major types based on their abilities: Kido-based and direct attack types.
Within the Kido category, there are three subtypes: the Hadō (destructive spells), Bakudō (binding spells), and Special Creatures.
Direct attack Zanpakuto are further split into two subtypes: the Slash type and the Projectile type.
For instance, the Zanpakuto of Urahara Kisuke, "Benihime," summons a strange one-eyed manta ray, which falls under the Special Creatures category.
As for Senju Makoto's "Shinro Bansho", though it currently does not exhibit any offensive capability, it was categorized as a special Wood-type within the Hadō system back when he was at the Shin'o Academy.
The Bakudō Zanpakuto, such as those wielded by Aizen Sosuke, 13th Division Captain Ukitake Jūshirō, and Ayasegawa Yumichika, lean more toward control, interference, and rule-based powers.
Among the direct attack types, the straightforward Slash type is most suited to brutish fighters, while the Projectile type is exemplified by Zanpakuto like Senbonzakura, which break the wielder weapon into multiple flying projectiles.
However, as Senju Makoto reviewed the various Zanpakuto abilities, he recalled a key detail from his past life's understanding of them. Beyond the two major categories, he realized that Zanpakuto might also be divided along a vertical axis — that is, between their Shikai (initial release) and Bankai (final release).
Strengthening or Mutation.
For the vast majority of Zanpakuto, the relationship between Shikai and Bankai is one of enhancement: for example, the Zanpakuto "Ryūjin Jakka" wielded by the 13th Division's Captain Yamamoto. The essence and nature of its Shikai and Bankai are almost identical, with the only difference being the terrifying increase in power.
However, a small number of Zanpakuto seem to have no apparent connection between their Shikai and Bankai.
For instance, the future 2nd Division Captain Soi Fon's Zanpakuto, "Suzumebachi," starts in the Kido category under the Bakudō subtype, with its deadly "Double-Strike Finisher" ability. Yet, when it evolves into its Bankai, "Jakuho Raikoben" it mysteriously crosses categories and becomes a direct attack Zanpakuto under the Projectile subtype.
While Makoto quietly reviewed a vast amount of information about Zanpakuto, he found that most texts did not offer any explanation for such cases.
If the abilities of a Zanpakuto are established at birth, crafted from the soul of its wielder, then how could such an "unnatural" situation arise?
This anomaly seemed somewhat illogical. The Soul Society had failed to notice this inconsistency over the span of a thousand years, which made it even more suspicious.
The only plausible explanation was that the Soul Society, for some unknown reason, deliberately ignored this aspect of Zanpakuto knowledge, possibly in an attempt to hide something.
Wait...
Makoto furrowed his brows, suddenly recalling a small detail from his conversation with Aizen.
It was something Aizen had asked the first time...
The question raised at that moment was: How could the Zanpakuto and the spirit body be completely separated?
By the second question, it had evolved into: A complete separation, meaning extracting the Shinigami's power from the normal spirit body!
Thus, Aizen's judgment was that the true form of Shinigami power, in its most tangible existence, was… the Zanpakuto?!
However, even with this, it was enough to confirm Makoto's judgment of the Zanpakuto's abilities, solidifying that the power of a Zanpakuto wasn't fixed from the start. It was likely that during the awakening process of the Zanpakuto, the desires and will of the Shinigami themselves influenced the Zanpakuto, ultimately shaping the true form of Shinigami power.
Yet, despite this revelation, Makoto's brows furrowed even more deeply as he murmured under his breath.
"Is this information slipping out unintentionally? Or is it purposefully leading me to this conclusion? Or perhaps Aizen intends to guide me toward something, or is he testing me?"
"To separate the Shinigami power from the spirit body completely, what exactly are you planning to do, Aizen Sosuke?"
Thinking about this, Makoto couldn't help but rub his temples, feeling his head growing more and more swollen.
Dealing with a man like Aizen, who could easily manipulate the entire Soul Society at will, was simply too uncomfortable. Every little detail hid potential information that could easily be overlooked.
At this moment, Makoto, oddly, found himself wishing his mind were as simple as Ikkaku Madarame's, packed with nothing but muscle, so that he could avoid many of these worries and troubles.
"Ah, how I envy you, Ikkaku…"
With this thought, Makoto gazed at the night sky outside his office window, nostalgically recalling his time at the Shin'o Academy.
Back then, everything was simpler. He could easily lower his intelligence and thoughts to the same level as Ikkaku's, and they'd spend their days happily without a care.
"At this time, Ikkaku is probably thinking about who he's going to fight tomorrow, right?"
…
Meanwhile, in the Eleventh Division barracks, Ikkaku Madarame was left speechless after hearing the news brought back by Ayasegawa Yumichika, staring in disbelief.
"What… what did you say? Senju, in the gynecology department??"
Ayasegawa nodded, saying, "Yeah, I was shocked when I first heard the news too. I even contacted the Fourth Division to confirm it, and… it's true. For the past two months, Senju hasn't treated a single patient!"
Ikkaku's mouth twitched a few times before he slammed his hand on the table and burst into laughter.
"Hahahahahahaha!!"
For a moment, the sound of Ikkaku's exaggerated laughter echoed through almost half of the Eleventh Division barracks.
Looking at Ikkaku, who was rolling on the floor laughing, Ayasegawa couldn't help but feel a bit speechless and said, "Ikkaku, after something so unremarkable happened, I'm sure Senju must be feeling pretty bad. Laughing like this… isn't it a bit inappropriate?"
Ikkaku's face turned red, his mouth twitching as he tried to hold it in but ultimately failed.
"Right… right, sorry, but I… hahahahaha… I just couldn't hold it in!!"
Ayasegawa, seeing this, helplessly rubbed his forehead, at a loss for words.
But as he thought of Makoto's normally gentle and composed features, it dawned on him that, from now on, Makoto might be surrounded by a crowd of troublesome women, and he couldn't help but smile wryly.
"No… wait, how could I be the kind of person who mocks their friends? I must've been infected by Ikkaku…"
With that thought, Ayasegawa kicked Ikkaku sharply, saying, "Alright, enough. We need to figure out how to help Senju!"
"Right!"
Ikkaku finally managed to sit up straight, his expression serious as he nodded decisively. "Looks like this time, I'll have to personally go to the gynecology department to back him up!"
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