Zanpakutō's Misunderstanding  

"Lower limit? Upper limit?" Byakuya Kuchiki murmured to himself.

Although this was the first time he had heard these two terms, based on what Uncle Ailin said, Byakuya Kuchiki quickly understood their meaning.

The so-called "lower limit" should be the minimum strength he could exert.

On the contrary, the "upper limit" was the strongest power he could exert.

In other words, the four Soul Reaper techniques allowed him to have no weaknesses, while his Zanpakutō's abilities elevated certain aspects of his strength.

"Uncle, I'm willing to accept your second phase of training."

***

"Just what is Captain Kuchiki up to?"

This was the biggest doubt in most Soul Reapers' minds over the past two months. Every day, they could feel Captain Ailin's enormous spiritual pressure from the 6th Division.

There was a ban in place across Seireitei prohibiting Captains from releasing their Zanpakutō. Kōga was a precedent they dared not forget.

Yet Captain Ailin had released his Bankai in Seireitei for over two consecutive months without any reaction from Captain-Commander Yamamoto. This made everyone very puzzled. Just what was it that made Captain-Commander Yamamoto turn a blind eye to Ailin releasing his Zanpakutō?

They didn't know that the main reason Captain-Commander Yamamoto tolerated Ailin releasing his Bankai in Seireitei was because Ginrei Kuchiki and Captain-Commander Yamamoto had an agreement. In three months, Ailin would leave Soul Society for the Human World. By then, Captain-Commander Yamamoto could use Ailin's multiple violations of the ban as grounds to strip him of his Captain position, banish him from Soul Society and bolster his own prestige.

The second, and more important reason, was that the main purpose behind Captain-Commander Yamamoto prohibiting the Captains from fully releasing their Zanpakutō was to prevent massive damage to Seireitei from their Bankai's power.

From his observations over this period, Ailin's Bankai only erupted with spiritual pressure during its release without causing any damage to Soul Society afterwards. Hence, Captain-Commander Yamamoto agreed to Ginrei Kuchiki's request and tolerated Ailin releasing his Bankai in Seireitei for three months.

If Ailin's Bankai could inflict terrible damage on Seireitei, Captain-Commander Yamamoto would have already taken action against Ailin after the first time he released it.

***

Within Unlimited Blade Works, thousands of Zanpakutō hovered in the air, surrounding Ailin and Byakuya Kuchiki.

"Byakuya, I'm very gratified that you managed to complete the first phase of training within three months and also unlocked your Zanpakutō's initial release during this period. If you hadn't accomplished either one of these points, I wouldn't have opened the second phase of training for you. Before commencing the second phase of training, Byakuya, you must always bear this sentence in mind."

Staring into Byakuya's eyes, Ailin enunciated word for word, "Byakuya, no matter what your Zanpakutō's abilities are, you must always believe that there are no useless Zanpakutō abilities, only useless Zanpakutō wielders."

"Only by firmly believing this can you truly bring out your Zanpakutō's full potential. If a Soul Reaper doesn't even believe in his own Zanpakutō, how can he excavate and develop its abilities?"

"I understand, Uncle." Byakuya Kuchiki committed Ailin's words to memory.

From Ailin's earlier words, Byakuya Kuchiki knew that his Uncle had set up several training phases for him. However, only after completing the previous phase's training to Uncle Ailin's satisfaction and meeting his requirements would Uncle Ailin open up the next phase of training for him.

Just like now, although Byakuya had already achieved his Zanpakutō's initial release a few days ago, it was only today after Uncle Ailin acknowledged his mastery of the four Soul Reaper techniques that the second phase of training began.

Likewise, if he didn't complete his Zanpakutō's release before the end of the three months, he would also miss out on the second phase of training.

"Then let's begin the second phase, Byakuya. This phase will involve developing and utilizing your Zanpakutō's abilities. Release your Zanpakutō and show me its power."

"Yes!"

Byakuya Kuchiki held his Zanpakutō vertically before himself. "Uncle Ailin, my Zanpakutō's name is Senbonzakura. Its ability turns the Zanpakutō into countless blade-like sakura petals to injure the enemy. Please instruct me!"

"Scatter, Senbonzakura!"

Boom!

Accompanying Byakuya Kuchiki's release chant, his spiritual pressure abruptly soared by over three times.

Then, a cherry blossom glow suffused Byakuya Kuchiki's Zanpakutō before transforming into tens of thousands of blade-like sakura petals that swirled towards Ailin under Byakuya's control like a pink morning mist.

Facing the incoming swathe of cherry blossoms, Ailin swung his sword, instantly sending out several sword beams that scattered the petals.

On the other side, perhaps due to it being his first time releasing his Zanpakutō, Byakuya Kuchiki's control over Senbonzakura was lacking.

After Ailin's sword beams scattered the tens of thousands of blades, Byakuya Kuchiki's control over them weakened until he unleashed his spiritual pressure and swung the hilt to bring Senbonzakura's blades swirling around Ailin for another assault.

Swish swish swish swish...

Boom!

However, no matter how Byakuya Kuchiki controlled the myriad blades to form a storm or surge forth like floods, Ailin dispersed all of them swiftly. The scattered blades posed no threat at all to Ailin.

"Damn it!"

Byakuya Kuchiki erupted with spiritual power. Bursting out from the hilt in his hand were copious amounts of cherry blossom blades that joined the assault on Ailin amidst his swings.

But—

By the time Byakuya Kuchiki exhausted his spiritual power, with the thousands of blades withdrawing back into the Zanpakutō's hilt and Senbonzakura's initial release ending, he still hadn't made Ailin budge an inch!

This dealt a huge blow to Byakuya Kuchiki's confidence. He knew that with Uncle Ailin suppressing his strength to be on par with him, he could contend against Ailin for a period relying solely on the four Soul Reaper techniques. Yet after releasing his Zanpakutō and utilizing only its abilities, he couldn't even make Ailin move a single step!

Were his Zanpakutō abilities too weak?

Fortunately, before this thought could fully form in Byakuya's mind, he immediately recalled Uncle Ailin's earlier admonition.

Hence, Byakuya Kuchiki swiftly repeated in his heart, "Senbonzakura's abilities are the strongest. My inability to display Senbonzakura's full might lies in my inadequate usage and development of it..."

After muttering this to himself several times, Byakuya Kuchiki regained his calm before opening his eyes to look at Uncle Ailin again.

"Not bad, Byakuya. Your Zanpakutō's abilities are very powerful indeed. However, you had some misunderstandings about your Zanpakutō's abilities earlier."