Chapter 6: Zanjutsu class

Yui's enchanting eyes, glimmering with a seductive gaze, looked at the tall man standing by the bed, her expression filled with satisfaction and shy modesty.

She had never seen such a perfect man—handsome on the outside, yet wild and domineering on the inside. This contrast stirred a sense of excitement in her.

Although last night was her first time due to her own personality and professional reasons, the charm of the man before her made it hard for her to resist.

Tsukizuki walked to the wall, picked up the half-drunk bottle of sake from the small table where Yui had placed it, rinsed his mouth, then downed it in one gulp, smiling as he said:

"Dear, I still have class. You can keep sleeping."

Although he called her "dear," Tsukizuki's heart didn't contain any love for her.

It was likely that one day, he'd forget about Yui.

Though she was beautiful and her status was an added bonus, the experience was certainly pleasant.

Tsukizuki casually grabbed his uniform from the sofa—a set of kenjutsu attire, white on top, blue trousers below.

His first class of the day was Zanjutsu class, or kenjutsu (swordsmanship).

Kuchiki Sōjun was holding a bamboo sword, demonstrating basic sword techniques while slowly explaining key points of the movements to the students.

Tsukizuki and his companions sat on the wooden floor, their bamboo swords placed in front of them.

The kenjutsu taught by Kuchiki Sōjun wasn't much different from what Tsukizuki had learned in the real world.

So, Tsukizuki multitasked, listening to Sōjun's explanations while practicing his spiritual power condensation technique to refine his spiritual pressure.

Ichimaru Gin leaned toward him with a sly grin.

"Tsukizuki, have you heard? It seems like someone's coming to the Spiritual Arts Academy soon to be a guest lecturer for Zanjutsu class."

"Zanjutsu class? So, is it true that Sōjun-sensei is going to lose his job and go back to the family business?" Tsukizuki replied with a tone of envy.

Back in the real world, Tsukizuki had started indulging in pleasures at a young age, overindulging until his health deteriorated, and now he found himself having to curry favor with those noble ladies.

"Not quite losing his job, but the guest lecturer will just be teaching temporarily," Gin added.

"Do you know who it is?"

"I heard from the noble sons that it's someone big."

Tsukizuki raised an eyebrow and asked in a low voice, "Someone big? How big?"

"From what the nobles said, it might be a captain from the Gotei 13."

At that, Tsukizuki was slightly surprised.

It wasn't unusual for Gotei 13 captains to teach at the Academy, especially after Aizen had become a captain and taught calligraphy.

But temporary lecturers were usually only assigned to graduates, so this new arrangement for the first-year students was a bit unexpected.

As Sōjun finished explaining the key points of the lesson, he paused, looking in their direction.

"Tsukizuki, do you think my lesson is not good enough?"

"Not at all, Sensei. Your class is engaging, full of detail, vivid, and captivating…" Tsukizuki responded, trying to deflect.

"But I see you don't seem too interested in listening to my lecture."

"It's not that. Actually… actually, it was Gin who was speaking to me. I was just trying to get him to pay attention," Tsukizuki quickly explained.

Ichimaru Gin, who had been squinting his eyes, now widened them slightly in surprise.

Tsukizuki nonchalantly took a ring from his sleeve and waved it in front of Gin.

"That's right. It was me who spoke to Tsukizuki," Gin admitted, his voice sounding more surprised than usual.

Sōjun didn't let them off that easily.

"I see. But speaking during class is not allowed. So, as punishment, I'll have Tsukizuki and Gin go fetch some Zanpakutō for your classmates."

"Wait... We can get Zanpakutō?!"

Someone from the class asked excitedly, and many faces lit up with anticipation.

A Zanpakutō was the blade of a Soul Reaper, unique to each Soul Reaper, and to wield one was a significant milestone.

"Of course not," Sōjun replied. "They're just for temporary use, to assist you in practicing Zanjutsu."

"You'll receive your own Zanpakutō after graduating, during your Soul Burial internship."

"However, if you're talented enough and can infuse your spiritual energy into the Zanpakutō during your Zanjutsu training, discovering its name, congratulations—you'll have your own Zanpakutō."

As Sōjun explained the nature of Zanpakutō, Tsukizuki and Gin carried two large bundles of unawakened Zanpakutō (known as Asauchi).

Fortunately, the Seireitei Academy had specialized training, and there weren't many students with Soul Reaper potential, so Tsukizuki and Gin could manage to carry the bundles.

"Now, take one Zanpakutō each, place it on your lap in a sitting posture, and meditate, trying to guide your spiritual energy into the blade, synchronizing your thoughts with the Zanpakutō, attempting to communicate with it…"

Sōjun demonstrated first, sitting on the ground with his sword resting on his legs.

Tsukizuki followed suit, sitting and placing his sword down, closing his eyes to try and channel his spiritual energy into the sword.

In an instant, he felt a pull from the Zanpakutō, as though it was drawing his soul in, attempting to merge with it.

The sensation was extraordinary, like a cleansing of his soul, making him feel at ease, as if he had returned to his mother's embrace.

When he opened his eyes again, Tsukizuki found himself in a pure white space. The sky lacked a sun, and the white surrounding him was so intense it felt almost blinding.

The ground seemed to be made of some unknown white liquid, which rippled as his palm touched it, but he remained grounded.

Looking up, a samurai sword was stuck into the ground, its length about a meter and a half. The blade was thin, and the hilt was white. Standing atop it was a beautiful girl dressed in a white kimono.

The girl had the features of a goddess—angelic beauty with a devilish figure.

Her willow-leaf eyebrows, large eyes, thin lips, along with a perfectly shaped face, wide double eyelids, high nose, and long black hair, made her the epitome of beauty.

Tsukizuki was struck dumb—not because of her beauty, but because she resembled a character from his past life named "Tifa" from a game.

"Who are you?"

"Who am I? What are you talking about? It's me, ah!" The girl spoke, her voice garbled by static.

"Is it… Eishin Shinra?" Tsukizuki's confusion faded, and he smiled warmly at the girl, as though meeting an old friend, "…Eishin Shinra!"

The girl's voice, filled with static, echoed in his mind, but in his heart, her name resounded clearly.

The girl, like a dancing spirit, leapt toward Tsukizuki, playfully winking before saying, "You can hear me after all. But this is just the beginning. I'm looking forward to… the day you call out my real name."

The world shattered into mirror fragments, and the girl's form began to dissolve into light particles.

Tsukizuki ran forward, attempting to catch her, but ended up grabbing the sword's hilt.

"What's going on with Tsukizuki…?"

"His Asauchi is glowing…!"

"Teacher Sōjun, please come quickly! Something's happening with Tsukizuki…!"

As his classmates called out in concern, Tsukizuki opened his eyes, realizing that he had somehow stood up, holding the sword now transformed into a samurai blade from his white world.

"My spiritual pressure…"

Before he could react, an overwhelming and terrifying spiritual pressure erupted from him, surging out uncontrollably like a fountain.

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