"I heard you were chased around Seireitei by Captain Yamamoto with a Zanpakutō today. What did you do to make him so angry?" Katori Bastu'unsai, the 8th Division Captain, asked Hoshi with an amused expression as soon as he returned to the barracks.
"Don't even ask, Captain. He made me practice slashing, demanding I swing my sword a thousand times. If I missed even one, he'd make me run ten laps around the 1st Division barracks. If I failed again, he'd personally 'educate' me with his blade. You know what happened after that."
"Hoshi, you're famous now. Nearly all of Seireitei knows about the young Shinigami who was chased by Captain Yamamoto with a Zanpakutō." Katori covered his mouth to stifle his laughter.
"Is everyone here so free? It's only been half a day, yet this news has already spread through Seireitei. The speed of gossip here is truly unmatched!"
After an exhausting day, Hoshi sighed. "What I wouldn't give for a good hotpot and some sake right now."
"Hotpot? What kind of food is that? Is it good?" Katori's eyes lit up at the mention of food. Clearly, the first-ever captain of the 8th Division had a serious fondness for eating.
"Captain, don't tell me you've never heard of hotpot? It's a cooking style from my hometown. The flavors are incredible. Oh, how I miss it!"
Katori leaned forward, visibly intrigued. "If it's as good as you say, then we're doing this. Tell me what ingredients and tools you need. I'll have them prepared immediately."
---
Soon, the hotpot was ready, bubbling with fragrant steam.
"Are you sure this is edible? The broth looks terrifyingly red—it's mostly chili peppers and oil. This looks way too spicy," Katori commented warily, staring at the pot.
"Captain, trust me! This is heaven in a bowl! Since it's your first time, I'll prepare a dipping sauce for you." Hoshi grabbed a bowl, poured in sesame oil, and prepared it for Katori.
Hoshi handed the bowl over. "This dipping sauce will mellow out the spice and bring out the flavor. Give it a try."
Carefully, Katori picked up some food with his chopsticks, dipped it, and took a bite.
"Hah! Hah! Hot! Spicy! But… delicious! This is amazing!" Katori's chopsticks moved so quickly it was hard to keep track, snatching up ingredients from the pot faster than Hoshi could react.
"Captain! Slow down! No one's taking it away from you."
---
After finishing the meal, the two leaned back, satisfied and full.
"That was incredible!" Hoshi sighed, patting his stomach contentedly.
"Hic… Thank you for the treat, Hoshi. We're doing this again soon," Katori replied, equally content.
"By the way, Captain, you still haven't explained the principles of the Zanpakutō to me," Hoshi said, realizing they hadn't discussed the topic at all.
Katori straightened up, adopting a more serious tone. "A Zanpakutō is more than just a weapon. It is an extension of your soul. Its state, shape, and abilities are all determined by your spiritual essence. You must learn its name and establish a spiritual connection with it to wield its true power."
Hoshi listened intently as Katori continued.
"Every Zanpakutō is unique. During battle, when Shinigami call upon the name of their Zanpakutō, it allows the blade to release its true form and unleash greater abilities. This is known as Shikai.
When a Hollow is purified with a Zanpakutō, its soul is cleansed and sent to the Soul Society. Remember, each Zanpakutō has its own soul, thoughts, and personality. It is not just a tool—it is a partner in battle."
"How does Shikai work?" Hoshi asked eagerly.
"Shikai is the first stage of release, awakening the blade's true power and allowing it to align better with the wielder. The abilities granted by Shikai vary depending on the Zanpakutō."
"How do I achieve Shikai?"
Katori smirked. "Patience, Hoshi. To unlock Shikai, you must first deeply connect with your Zanpakutō. This requires continuous practice and understanding. Only by forming a bond with the sword can you awaken its name and power. However, this is a process that cannot be rushed."
"I understand, Captain. I'll put my all into it!" Hoshi's eyes shone with determination.
"What about Bankai?"
"Don't get ahead of yourself, Hoshi. Master Shikai first. We'll discuss Bankai when the time comes."
---
Hoshi shifted the conversation. "Captain, I'm still curious—how can I increase my spiritual pressure? I'm a beginner compared to the veterans."
Katori gave Hoshi a look of mock exasperation. "Fool. Strengthening your spiritual pressure comes from mastering your Zanpakutō and honing your skills."
"Ah, I thought there might be a special technique for it…"
"Let's start with the basics. You need to establish a connection with your Zanpakutō through meditation—what we call sword Zen. Place your Zanpakutō on your lap, assume a meditative posture, and clear your mind. Focus solely on the blade and its energy. Over time, you'll start to feel its essence."
"Meditation, huh?" Hoshi muttered thoughtfully.
"This process takes time," Katori explained. "It's not something you can achieve in a single session. You'll need patience and persistence. Abandon all distractions and focus entirely on the blade."
Katori continued, "The Zanpakutō is alive. It has its own consciousness and soul. Establishing a connection with it will improve your spiritual pressure and your skills as a Shinigami. But don't expect results overnight."
"How long did it take you, Captain?" Hoshi asked curiously.
Katori grinned. "It took me only two weeks to learn the name of my Zanpakutō during my early days of sword Zen. Impressive, right?"
Hoshi gaped at Katori in astonishment. "Two weeks? That's incredible!"
---
As the conversation ended, Katori yawned. "That's enough for today, Hoshi. Get some rest. Tomorrow, we'll begin training your Zanpakutō."
"Understood, Captain!" Hoshi bowed and left.
---
That night, Hoshi fell into a deep sleep.
In his dream, he found himself standing inside a grand palace. Its architecture resembled traditional Japanese designs but radiated an ancient and solemn aura. The wooden pillars were adorned with intricate carvings of mythical creatures.
At the center of the hall sat a man dressed in flowing violet robes. His presence was calm yet commanding, and his face was obscured.
The man raised a small sake cup in one hand, gesturing to Hoshi in a silent toast, then drank deeply.
Before Hoshi could speak, the dream ended.