A Zanpakuto Spirit

"This is so weird."

While Naruto was befriending his inner Hollow and Yuna and Hinata were... doing something else, Kisuke continued observing the trio with nothing but curiosity in his eyes.

From what he could tell, Naruto was currently going through the same process as Yuna and Hinata did, and just like them, it went far faster than it should. As for Yuna and Hinata's situation, he could only conclude that Hinata was helping Yuna with her Hollow somehow. If that were to be the truth, and Naruto was about to go through the same process, there would be another three Vizard to bolster their forces for the coming storm.

'Mhh, wait a moment. Vizard are Shinigami with Hollow powers, but could these three really be considered to be such beings? It's more like they gained their Shinigami and Hollow powers simultaneously. Well, it doesn't really matter what they are called; the only important thing is their potential combat strength.'

After pondering the situation a while longer, Urahara simply shook his head with a wry smile on his face. There was no point in thinking about that right now, as there would be plenty of chances to test what these three were capable of.

A few hours later, a powerful presence radiated out of Naruto for a brief moment, similar to what happened to Yuna and Hinata previously. Although his Hollow mask resembled Yuna's with a yellow and black color scheme, unlike her, he immediately took it off and made it vanish.

'Why does the mask look similar to his sisters but acts more like Hinata's in the aftermath?'

As more and more mysteries kept popping up, Naruto rested his hand on the sword that was attached to his waist with a plain-looking sheath. He didn't know how to use a sword.

'Urgh, do I really have to learn how to fight using a sword? That's rather bothersome. Should I really just ignore it and continue fighting barehanded? Guess I'll consult nee-san about this.'

As if she heard Naruto's thoughts, Yuna started stirring and slowly opened up her eyes, closely followed by Hinata doing the same.

"Mah, why did you want to stop so early, Hinata? Things were barely getting started."

Hearing Yuna's words, Hinata couldn't help but smile wryly as a small blush appeared on her face.

"This isn't the time for that, Yuna. We just got a power-up, and we should investigate the change as soon as possible."

Yuna chuckled in amusement when she heard Hinata's explanation and swiftly retorted her words.

"Hehe, despite that, you still participated."

Hinata's blush became more pronounced as she awkwardly averted her his and hastily came up with an excuse.

"*Cough* I was just waiting for Naruto to finish."

"*Sniff* To think my wife would pay attention to my little brother in a situation like that. What kind of weird fetish is that?"

Instead of blushing further, Hinata's face became deadpan as she answered Yuna's question.

"It's the fetish where I don't want to be stuck doing that while there are important things to solve."

Yuna nodded her head in understanding before a sad expression appeared on her face.

"Although I'm not one to kink-shame, that's not a fetish I can get into."

Hearing the conversation between Yuna and Hinata, Naruto could only smile wryly. As he had expected, those two have gotten hot and steamy within Yuna's mindscape. Whether there were two, three, or even four people involved, Naruto could make a rather educated guess about that as well. Considering Yuna's personality, it was honestly not hard to guess, 

Anyway, he quickly approached the bickering duo and started talking to them.

"Well, anyway, shall we get out of here? I believe there are a few questions we would have liked to have answered by a certain shady merchant."

As soon as the duo heard Naruto's words, they nodded their head and focused their gaze on Kisuke, who immediately had a shiver going down his spine.

"See you later, Ichigo."

"Oh yeah, I almost forgot. See you later."

"Good luck, Ichigo."

Just when they were about to leave, Yuna remembered that there was a fourth person in the hole, so she gave him a small goodbye, which was quickly followed by Naruto doing the same and Hinata wishing him good luck.

On the other hand, Ichigo could only grit his teeth in anger due to how easily those three overcame this trial. While he hadn't even done the first step yet, those three were already done with it. He gritted his teeth for a brief moment before swallowing his pride and opening his mouth.

"Please wait a moment. Could you give me some advice on how to overcome this nonsensical situation?"

Yuna pondered Ichigo's question briefly before simply shrugging her shoulders.

"You have to find your inner world, the deepest depth of your soul, and locate your Shinigami powers there. As far as I'm aware, that's the only way.

As soon as she finished speaking, the trio vanished from their position, leaving a dumbfounded Ichigo behind. No matter how he thought about it, he could understand the meaning of Yuna's words, but he also remembered that all three of them appeared to be meditating the whole time.

'Maybe I should try out meditating? However, I have never done that. How am I even supposed to start?'

Ichigo was just about to sit down cross-legged, imitating the trio posture, when another link of his Chain of Fate transformed into mouths and started eating itself.

'Oh shit, here comes the pain.'

Unfortunately, Ichigo couldn't just ignore the pain like the others did, making it almost impossible for him to keep his concentration, resulting in proper meditation being pretty much impossible, even if he were to know how to do it.

What should be mentioned as well was that Tatsuki was currently not here. Due to the heavy training she went through, he clothes were drenched in sweat, making her rather uncomfortable, so she went back home to shower and get changed. She had already told Kisuke that she would be back tomorrow, which he didn't mind. Seeing new and unique abilities and how they developed was always fascinating for Kisuke. Meanwhile, the trio appeared in front of Kisuke in a flash, causing him to squint his eyes. 

"I know about Yuna learning Shunpo, but how come all three of you can use it?"

Naruto simply shrugged his shoulders when he heard Kisuke's question and started talking in a leisurely tone like his answer wasn't a big deal.

"Well, since nee-san learned it, she obviously would teach it to us as well. No big deal."

Kisuke could only shake his head in bewilderment when he heard that answer. 

'One person learning it pretty much instantly is already ridiculous, but how come there are three people in front of him who could do so? Seriously, can't these three even show a smidgeon of not being abnormal in every regard? Perhaps I really should ditch Ichigo and go with these three instead.'

As that idea popped up again, Kisuke denied it immediately yet again. Those three definitely were monstrous geniuses, no questions asked, but Kisuke believed that wasn't enough. For example, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, captain of the 10th Division, was believed to be an incredible genius as well, but despite being much older than the trio, Kisuke didn't believe for even a second that he could match Aizen.

Being abnormal simply wasn't enough. One had to be abnormal, even from the viewpoint of someone abnormal, to push through what the future held and Ichigo, as the son of a Division captain and a pure Quincy, had that kind of abnormal potential.

Yes, Kisuke did not doubt that the trio would reach an incredible level in the future, but he didn't believe that someone born from two ordinary humans could ever reach the necessary level to fight what was about to come.

Anyway, there was no point in thinking about these matters before he actually knew what he was working with.

"Well, as you said, you went through this trial without a hitch. Honestly, I find that impossible, but I was proven wrong. I'm uncertain what kind of training you went through in the past, but it undoubtedly helped you in this situation."

"Instead of answering Kisuke, the trio simply nodded their head in agreement, making him smile wryly. As he had expected, they didn't want to reveal too much about themselves.

"Anyway, all three of you seemed to have questions you would like to ask, and considering what you had just done; I have a pretty good idea what this is about."

The trio nodded their heads yet again before Yuna started speaking.

"Indeed, I don't know about the other two, but while I was searching for my Shinigami powers, I found a weird egg that gave me a familiar feeling, and as soon as I became a Shinigami, the egg hatched, revealing a small creature.

Hearing Yuna's words, Kisuke's eyes shone with interest. He had a very good idea of what that creature was, but the trio's case was undoubtedly unique in that regard.

"Although I can only guess, I think that creature is your Zanpakuto Spirit. Usually, those Spirits are born when their respective Shinigami is born, so we never got a chance to observe them in their infant stages, as observing the soul of a freshly born infant is rather dangerous. However, to think they would hatch from an egg, how fascinating. And to think I would chance upon three of those cases simultaneously, how marvelous."

(AN: Yes, I am aware that it isn't like that in canon.)

However, before Kisuke could continue gushing any further, Hinata raised her hand, motioning him to stop talking for a moment.

"Sorry to burst your bubble, but my Zanpakuto spirit was already grown when I met her. She said that some distant ancestor of mine was a Shinigami, thus granting me a spirit from birth."

Kisuke's eyes almost started shining with curiosity when he heard Hinta's words. Ichigo's case was rather special, so he couldn't gather too much data about it, but he didn't expect that even if you had two human parents, you would still have your own Zanpakuto spirit from birth.

"Fascinating. If you awaken your Shikai, could you show it to me? Shikai tends to be similar to the ones used by other family members, so there might be people from your lineage that still live within Soul Society."

However, hearing Kisuke's request, Hinata tilted her head in confusion, which was mimicked by Yuna and Naruto.

"What's a Shikai?"

Kisuke froze for a moment, not expecting that question, but moments later, he realized that no matter how abnormal these three were, they couldn't know things they had never heard of before.

"*Cough* Sorry about that; I got a little too excited. Currently, your swords are in their sealed states. If you win your Zanpakuto Spirits trust and acknowledgment, it will sooner or later be able to tell you its name. As soon as that happens, you will know what to say to release it from its seal."

Hinata's eyes shone when she heard that, while simultaneously, information in regards to unsealing Undine popped up in her head.

"So it's like that. In that case, I might as well try it, right?"

"Mhh? Try? Try what?"

Before Kisuke could ask further questions, Hinata slowly unsheathed her sword and swung it slowly in a circular ark.

"[Drown All Of Creation, Undine]"

Heavy Spiritual Pressure erupted out of Hinata as five small orbs of water formed behind her, and her sword turned transparent blue without any further changes.

Kisuke's chin hit the ground as Hinata had apparently unlocked her Shikai form instantly. Hinata, on the other hand, was curiously inspecting her sword and the five orbs hovering behind her. She lightly slashed down her sword, resulting in a water slice shooting out of it, leaving a deep gash in the ground.

Next, she put her focus on one of the orbs, resulting in a water beam being shot that left a perfectly circular small hole in the ground while the orb grew a little smaller. If she had to make an estimate, one orb was enough for about 20 shots, bringing her to a total of one hundred.

Seeing Hinata experimenting with her power and learning her different abilities so easily, Kisuke was yet again bewildered, while Yuna and Naruto only watched Hinata's show with curiosity. It took him a few seconds, but when Kisuke managed to get out of his shocked state, he immediately started talking up a storm.

"Fascinating! To think you would learn your sword's name immediately! That aside, a water-type Zanpakuto, huh? Honestly, I can't of anyone who possesses a water-type Zanpakuto, but it has been a while since I have been in Soul Society as well. Additionally, it's not like I know every Shinigami's individual ability. What I'm tr..."

While Kisuke was going full nerd-mod over Zanpakuto and their spirits, Hinata was continuously inspecting her sword, trying out what she could do and what she couldn't do.

'This isn't a water-type Zanpakuto.'

After trying out a few things, Hinata quickly found out that Kisuke's assumption she had a water-type Zanpakuto was incorrect.

'You aren't a water-type Zanpakuto. You are a water-support-type Zanpakuto. You don't grant me the ability to control water; you improve what I already can do.'

[Correct, after all, what is the point in allowing you to manipulate water when you can already do so?]

Hinata chuckled in amusement when hearing Undine's question before nodding her head in agreement.

'Indeed, there is no point in that.'

While Hinata was communicating with Undine, Kisuke realized that he had gone researcher mode, causing him to cough awkwardly as he resumed speaking.

"*Cough* A-Anyway, I'm rather curious about how your sword will develop in the future. In fact, I'm rather curious how all of your swords will develop in the future."

Hearing Kisuke's words, Yuna could only shrug her shoulders with a wry smile on her face.

"You say that so easily, but let's not talk about telling me its name, currently, my Zanpakuto Spirit can't even talk."

Naruto nodded in agreement, as his spirit was in the same condition, immediately reigniting Kisuke's researcher spirit.

"Interesting, so Zanpakuto go through a certain amount of growth as well and aren't even capable of speech when they are born. So much new to learn~"

Seeing that Kisuke was about to go on another tirade about Zanpakuto, Yuna simply shook her head and stopped him by raising her hand.

"We can discuss this further tomorrow. It's already late, and I'm rather hungry."

Kisuke almost pouted when the interesting research material in front of him decided to leave, but he didn't stop them. He still had to oversee the process of Ichigo's trial, despite doubting that anything could go wrong.

So, without further interruptions, Yuna's Shinigami body dove into her real one, instantly fusing the two together.

[Phew, I'm finally out of that human body.]

'Pah, you should be feeling honored to be allowed to reside in my divine body.'

[Sure, whatever. I'm gonna take a nap; I haven't had one for over ten hours.]

Hearing Kurama's announcement, Yuna's face deadpanned.

'You straight up slept the whole time you controlled my body.'

[That doesn't count since it wasn't in my own comfortable body.]

'Damn lazy fox.'

[Damn perverted woman.]

'Damn right, I am.'

Simultaneously, Naruto took back control of his body as well, resulting in an almost identical conversation, while Hinata returned as well and immediately checked if Yuna had sneaked something on her while she wasn't using it. At first glance, she found nothing, but that didn't mean anything yet.

"Anyway, see you tomorrow, Kisuke. Make sure Ichigo doesn't die on us while we are gone."

"OI!!!"

"Hahaha, no worries, he's in the best of hands~"

While Ichigo was protesting, Kisuke simply assured her with a mischievous smile that might have unhinged some people or made them uncertain, but Yuna only smirked back at him and raised her hand.

*Snap*

*Splat*

As the trio leisurely walked out of the building while somewhat suppressing their laughter, Kisuke wiped the cake out of his face with a bewildered expression. There were two questions in his mind.

'Why? How!?'

Unfortunately, neither of these questions will be answered any time soon.

Anyway, the duo reached their home around ten minutes later, and as soon as they entered their shared living room, a serious expression appeared on Yuna's face.

"Hinata, please let me hold your sword."

As Yuna said that, Hinata blushed heavily as she started wiggling around while wrapping her arms around her body.

"Oh my, Yuna, didn't I tell you not to request stuff like that in front of Naruto."

While Naruto's chin hit the floor due to Hinata making a joke like that, Yuna couldn't help but raise her eyebrows while a smirk appeared on her face.

"Hinata, silly, I'm asking for your Zanpakuto, not your other sword."

Hearing Yuna's retort, Hinata could only double facepalm while sighing deeply.

"*Sigh* When have I fallen so low to make a joke like that."

Yuna couldn't help but giggle a little while patting Hinata's head.

"I'm so proud of you, Hinata."

Hinata could only groan in defeat when she heard Yuna's weirdly sincere-sounding praise.

Oh, and on a side note, the Kido spell to form a di... *cough* sword was still in development, so neither of the duo could show each other their swords for now.

"Anyway, jokes aside, I would like to take a look at your Zanpakuto as long as your Zanpakuto Spirit allows it."

Hinata nodded her head as her Shinigami form left her physical body and unsheathed her sword.

"I have already asked her beforehand since I was expecting you to be curious. She agreed to leave my side momentarily, but only if I stay in the same room, and it's you two I gave her two."

Yuna nodded her head as she inspected the blade carefully. Now that it went through Shikai for the first time, it no longer looked like the standard Zanpakuto she was used to. Both the blade and the hilt now had a blue tint, while a small blue crystal that looked like a water drop was embedded into the end of the hilt. She gave it a few light swings and nodded in approval.

"Without a doubt, a beautiful, well-made sword."

[That you for your praise.]

'Oh? You can not only hear me but even answer me? I was not expecting you to be capable to talk to someone not designated as your wielder.'

[I'm not, but it seems like your connection with Hinata is close enough for me to communicate with you.]

'Hee~ Facinating~'

Yuna spent a few more seconds looking at the finer details of the sword before nodding in satisfaction. There was clearly still a lot to learn about Zanpakuto Spirits, but Yuna didn't want to blatantly mess around with Hinata's sword. She would have more than enough time to hash out the finer details after her own grew more mature.

"Thanks for allowing me to take a closer look. Naruto, are you interested as well?"

Hearing Yuna's question, Naruto could only roll his eyes.

"Nee-san, what are you talking about? I pretty much know nothing about swords, and let's not even talk about spirits inhabiting swords. You might as well give her to a toddler and ask for their opinion."

Yuna chuckled in amusement at Naruto's words and simply nodded her head. It was not like they had been together all the time in her previous lives, so Yuna guessed that Naruto had tried his hands on different combat styles. Apparently, swords were not part of those experiments.

So, without further ado, Yuna handed her sword pack to Hinata, who happily took it and returned it to its sheath. 

[Phew, being held by someone else feels unusual. If it's Yuna and Naruto, it's probably still fine, but seriously allow no one else to hold me.]

'No worries, Undine. I would never do anything you wouldn't want me to do.'

Seemingly satisfied with Hinata's words, Undine hummed in satisfaction as Hinata's gaze returned to Yuna.

"Well, did you find something out?"

Although Hinata and Naruto had gathered their fair share of experience in their previous lives as well, compared to the ridiculous amount of time Yuna had lived, their few thousand years were nothing in comparison. So, despite their wealth of experience, they would still occasionally consult with Yuna about matters that initially seemed too otherworldy for them to understand.

Seeing the curiosity in the duo's eyes, Yuna smirked a little as she made a peace sign.

"Indeed, I have discovered two matters of interest."

The duo instantly put all their attention on Yuna as they eagerly awaited whatever she would say. In these kinds of significant situations, it was rare for Yuna to mess around, so they were looking forward to what she had to say.

"First of all, I'm pretty sure that Shikai is not the final for a Zanpakuto could take. Could you please ask Undine for more information about that, Hinata?"

Hearing Yuna's words, Hinata paused for a moment as she had a small conversation with Undine, but after only around a minute, Hinata shook her head.

"She said that there is indeed more to a Zanpakuto than just the Shikai, but for now, she is unwilling to reveal more. I assume the better I get to know her, the more she is willing to tell me."

Yuna nodded her head in understanding, already expecting something like that to be the case. Getting overwhelming power within a short time frame was never a good thing, so it made only sense that Zanpakuto were unwilling to instantly reveal all their secrets to their wielder.

"Very well, and the second thing I discovered is something entirely different. Finally, after over 15 years, I have found out what kind of existence Kurama is in this world."

The room grew quiet instantly, making it so silent that even the drop of the pin could be heard as Hinata and especially Naruto listened to Yuna's words with all they had.

"In this world, our two Kurama's are obviously no longer chakra constructs, as the concept of chakra no longer exists."

The duo simply nodded their heads, already fully aware of that being the case. Yuna chuckled in amusement as a twisted grin split her face in half.

"In this world, Kurama is... a Zanpakuto Spirit."