17 New Zanpakutō  

The realm of captain-level existence, Second Class Reiatsu, was the most basic requirement. Only with Second Class Reiatsu could one complete the materialization of a Zanpakutō. Then, there was a Zanpakutō's final form release - Bankai!

During the day, Ailin handled the vice-captain's affairs together with Marenoshin Ōmaeda, occasionally also receiving missions.

But before Ailin, whose strength had greatly increased, those missions were merely adding a few more merits to his service record.

At night, Ailin would wield Yoruichi Shihōin and Kisuke Urahara's Zanpakutō, absorbing the two's cultivation experiences to further enhance his own basic strength.

Yoruichi didn't often use her Zanpakutō, so Ailin gained nearly no swordplay experience from it. However, what Yoruichi was most famous for was her Shunpo mastery.

In all of Soul Society, Yoruichi was known as the "Goddess of Flash". Regarding Shunpo, no one could match her. From Yoruichi's Zanpakutō, Ailin obtained her Shunpo experience.

From Kisuke Urahara's Zanpakutō, the biggest gain for Ailin was Demon Arts abilities. At the same time, based on Kisuke Urahara's "Princess Benihime's" Blood Mist Shield ability, Ailin had successfully forged a sheath for Tessaiga that could deploy a defensive barrier.

Thus, Tessaiga's completion had risen somewhat, with its Shikai boosting his Reiatsu by three and a half times now.

Time passed by as everyone made progress...

"Oh?"

One day, due to squad affairs, Ailin went to the captain's office to meet with Yoruichi Shihōin. Usually though, the one Ailin met was Yoruichi's little fangirl, Shaolin Fon.

Over the past few years, although Ailin and Shaolin Fon hadn't conversed much, they were quite familiar with one another.

"This feeling is..."

The instant Ailin saw Shaolin Fon, his eyes narrowed slightly as his gaze looked towards the Zanpakutō by Shaolin Fon's waist.

The azure lines in his eyes flashed. In just a few seconds, Ailin had finished analyzing Shaolin Fon's Zanpakutō.

"Congratulations, Miss Shaolin. Are you preparing for your seated officer challenge soon?"

After placing the documents on the desk, Ailin smiled and congratulated Shaolin Fon.

For Ailin, Shaolin Fon completing her Zanpakutō's gestation was great news.

After all, in Ailin's mind was a weapon extremely compatible with "Two Hit Certain Kill".

Once he returned and forged Suzumebachi tonight, that weapon ought to manifest too.

"Oh? You can actually tell that I've completed my Zanpakutō's release?" Shaolin Fon raised her head in surprise as she looked at Ailin.

Although she still held some resentment towards Ailin for losing a bet during his vice-captain challenge match, after years of interaction, any grudges had long faded away. Moreover, from the documents she handled, Ailin was extremely proficient as Second Division's vice-captain, completing all missions perfectly.

Additionally, unlike the noble airs of ex-Vice Captain Marenoshin Ōmaeda, Ailin always took point during missions. Whenever squad members were injured, he would even use healing Kidō on them. Over the years, he had gained the absolute trust and prestige of the division's Shinigami, even surpassing the previous Vice Captain Ōmaeda.

This point alone made Shaolin Fon approve somewhat more of Ailin.

What surprised Shaolin Fon even more was that she had only just completed her Zanpakutō's gestation a few days ago. Yesterday, after gaining her Zanpakutō's approval, she finished training her initial release. Even Lady Yoruichi hadn't noticed yet, but this Vice Captain Ailin discovered it with a single glance?

No no, how could Lady Yoruichi possibly be unaware?

Shaolin Fon's meager accomplishments were likely too trivial for Lady Yoruichi to even praise.

But...

If she succeeded in her seated officer challenge, would she finally earn Lady Yoruichi's commendation?

"The seated officer challenge?"

At this thought, Shaolin Fon knocked her head lightly with the pen in her hand.

This Vice Captain Ailin was very powerful, especially his Zanpakutō's special move Wind Scar. That technique could likely envelop a huge area ahead of Ailin. Shaolin Fon wasn't confident she could escape it.

As for 3rd Seat Kisuke Urahara, although Shaolin Fon looked down on the man, she knew his strength was barely below Lady Yoruichi.

There was also the other 3rd Seat and former Vice Captain, Marenoshin Ōmaeda.

After considering her Zanpakutō's abilities and Marenoshin's for a bit, Shaolin Fon made her decision with determination.

As Shaolin Fon was filling out her challenge form, Ailin craned his neck to easily spot the name she wrote down.

"Oh? Miss Shaolin Fon actually wants to challenge 3rd Seat Ōmaeda. Looks like Miss Shaolin Fon's Zanpakutō is quite formidable!"

"3rd Seat Ōmaeda sure is unlucky..." Ailin shook his head with a laugh.

Indeed, this Marenoshin Ōmaeda truly had awful luck. Undeniably, Marenoshin Ōmaeda was quite strong. However, against Shaolin Fon and her Zanpakutō, he had zero compatibility!

Before reaching a certain level of Reiatsu, Shaolin Fon's Zanpakutō Two Hit Certain Kill was genuinely unsolvable.

Admittedly, Marenoshin Ōmaeda's Reiatsu exceeded Shaolin Fon's by a lot. But it still wasn't enough to ignore Suzumebachi's ability completely. With Shaolin Fon's Shunpo, avoiding Marenoshin Ōmaeda's attacks and finding chances to strike him wasn't difficult at all.

"Ha? Don't talk as if I've already won!"

Shaolin Fon's brow twitched. After arranging her challenge documents properly, she shot Ailin a glare. Although unwilling to admit it verbally, pride was evident within her expression.

After leaving the captain's office, Ailin returned to his own residence...

***

"Buzz—!"

Azure radiance flashed. A Zanpakutō descended from the skies, inserting itself into the hill of blades.

Exceeding Ailin's expectations, the level where Suzumebachi manifested was actually the same as those few Zanpakutō that had attained Bankai!

"Oh?"

Ailin walked over and grasped Suzumebachi's hilt. A few seconds later, a smile emerged on his face.

"What a huge surprise..."

"Infinite Shunpo, Hornet Thunder Whip..."

Contrary to Ailin's predictions, even the original Shaolin Fon still hadn't trained her personal Zanpakutō to Bankai. Yet the Suzumebachi produced within his inner world had already reached Bankai!

However, Ailin soon understood. The weapons here originated from his memories. In his memories, Suzumebachi had indeed attained Bankai already.

In other words, any Zanpakutō Ailin replicated from his memories, even if their Shinigami hadn't completed releasing them yet, as long as they successfully birthed their Zanpakutō, what manifested in Ailin's world was their state over two hundred years later.