Second and third day

(Ryoto's pov)

For the next two days, I was exclusively fighting Zangetsu. Without any breaks except for the night during which I slept to regain some of my stamina.

Zangetsu was simply a better fighter than me, even in hand-to-hand combat but thanks to that, I was slowly improving, adapting, and overcoming my obstacles.

During the second day, we were more evenly matched, although Zangetsu still had the upper hand thanks to his wild style.

The third day went similarly, but I was in the zone in my fight with Zangetsu. The only thought on my mind was how to win. It was, after all, the last day, and my time was running out, so my fighting style was becoming more and more reckless and risker, which Zangetsu liked.

"Yes, good! Why need defence when you can just attack!? Hahahahaha!!!"

(E/D: Just like the Orge himself said, "Forget about defence. Just concentrate on what is in front of you with the power in your fists and let everything else become white noise.")

Freaking battle maniacs. I just don't know how to deal with them without a fight.

This was the first few hours, but as the last hour was approaching, something changed. I was once again being pushed back. I don't know why it happened unless...

The realization hit me.

This bastard was holding back.

"Since there isn't that much time left, and I enjoyed myself enough, for now, time for a lesson." He grinned.

...

I should have expected it. I really should have expected it. I mean, I kinda knew that he just wanted to fight but who would have expected that he had a lesson to teach?

"You are weak, maybe not as weak as before, and you can even fight, but you are lacking something. Can you guess what this is?"

"...No."

"I see that you know what I mean. You don't know how long I have waited for this." His grin grew even larger. "Do you know the difference between a king and a horse?"

"...Do you really need to do it?"

"I do because there is a point in this speech. You need your killer instinct, and I'm planning on dragging it out of you by force if necessary."

At the same time as I, Zangetsu, was about to say you know what, Rin, Yoruichi, and Kisuke were having a conversation in the background.

"Do you think Ryoto will achieve Bankai?" Rin asked.

"Who knows, but he doesn't have much left," Kisuke answered.

"And what is this talk about the king and a horse, and why is Ryoto looking like he knows what he means?" Yoruichi questioned.

"Knowing Ryoto, we don't want to know."

Their talk was interrupted by my body slamming into the ground in front of them.

...It hurts but nothing I can't handle. I could taste Iron in my mouth, though. So the kids' gloves are off.

Strangely enough, as Zangetsu was standing there, his smirk wasn't present.

"Better learn fast, or you'll die."

---

In the following 10 minutes, I got to learn that Zangetsu was entirely serious and seemed to try and kill me. Instead of punching me, he used fingers hardened with Hierro to pierce me at times. He wants me to show him my killer instinct. In other words, he wants me to try and kill him, not to defeat him like I tried to do.

*Sigh* I really don't like to attack to kill without a good reason, but it looks like I have no choice. Unless I do that, I doubt I'll achieve Bankai.

̶I̶ ̶c̶l̶o̶s̶e̶d̶ ̶m̶y̶ ̶e̶y̶e̶s̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶r̶e̶o̶p̶e̶n̶e̶d̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶m̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ ̶a̶ ̶c̶o̶l̶d̶ ̶s̶t̶a̶r̶e̶ ̶c̶o̶m̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶f̶r̶o̶m̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶m̶.̶ (Editor, Help)

(E/D: I got you, bro.)

(Changed version)

An icy gaze greeted him as I opened my eyes.

(E/D: Nice, edgy and cringy as I like it.)

Seeing this, Zangetsu grinned.

"So you can do it if you try."

I rushed at Zangetsu, and we fought again.

---

I was aiming at Zangetsu's vitals if he had any with every attack, and if he didn't, there was a plan to get there in a few moves in the future. Fighting with the goal of killing is different from an ordinary fight. There is a lot more focus put into it and a lot less room for mistakes.

I also lost track of time. Thinking about it won't help me and only put pressure on me, so the only thought in my mind was to kill Zangetsu, even though it's not possible this way.

I know that Zangetsu is trying to help in his own way and tries to prepare me for situations where I'll need it. As I was practically in a trance, Zangetsu stopped my punch.

"Times up. Looks like you lost, so no Bankai for-" He couldn't finish his sentence as his head dropped down, he was smacked from behind by Emma, no less.

"Zen-chan, you can't do it!"

"Zen-chan? Phh- Hahahahaha. Zen-chan, what a great nickname. Maybe I'll start calling you like that too."

It was hilarious, and for the first time, I've seen Zangetsu embarrassed.

"I told you not to call me like that..."

"You shouldn't joke around too much, then. Ja-Ryoto fought you for three whole days, and he didn't lose, so he deserves a reward." She said that while having her arms crossed.

"Bu-"

"Did you forget about our bet?"

Is this a bet Zangetsu was talking about over 20 years ago?

"*Sigh* Fine. Not that I didn't plan to, but you ruined my fun."

And so I achieved my Bankai.

(???'s pov)

That's strange, very strange. I feel like one of my babies achieved Bankai, but it doesn't feel like my baby at all, and let me tell ya, it ain't possible. I can't even tell where it is, which is even more impossible.

I'm curious, but I can't leave this place without any reason, but maybe I could somehow convince the others. I bet Ichi-chan will want to investigate it.

...

This nickname needs some work. I-chan? Ichi-chan? Chan-I?

Who would have thought that after so many years, I couldn't find a perfect nickname for him?

Ki-chan's nickname was much easier to come up although I still think that Hiki-chan is better, but for some reason, it feels wrong.

Where was I again?

Righto, that strange Zanpakuto that I feel. I guess I'll see how it turns out and then do something with it. How could someone create a Zanpakuto without being me is a mystery. Maybe Ki-chan could do it, but he promised me that he wouldn't.

I slammed my face in realization. I can't call both of them Ki-chan. Maybe one of them will be Ki-Ki? It seems that Hiki-chan could still be used.

---

END

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