Chapter 123: Practicing Bankai

The Gotei 13 Captains, ignited by news of the Quincy invasion, brimmed with battle lust. Fearless, they craved the chance to crush their foes. For them, death was trivial next to a good fight.

Yamabuki Haruto, however, clung to life. Mastering Bankai before the Thousand-Year Blood War was his only shot at surviving Yhwach’s Almighty.

At home, in the underground training ground, Haruto schemed to achieve Bankai in six months. Kurosaki Ichigo mastered it in three days, but Haruto’s Sword Spirit—a tsundere nightmare—barely yielded Reversal, Silver Angel’s Shikai name after relentless effort. Now, Bankai? His head throbbed.

Deep communion with one’s Zanpakutō was key. Ichigo and Zangetsu proved it. Haruto sat cross-legged, Reversal, Silver Angel across his lap, and entered Sword Zen. Instantly, his inner world enveloped him.

Familiar sensations greeted him. His tsundere Sword Spirit lounged on a giant Rubik’s Cube, smirking, her white stockings swapped for black. “Not bad!” Haruto grinned, giving a thumbs-up. Black or white stockings—perfection. All else is heresy.

“Missed you!” he teased, arms wide for a hug.

She snorted. “No hugs! Why’re you here? Bankai? Forget it—I’m not teaching you.”

“Come on,” Haruto said, leaping onto the Rubik’s Cube beside her, grabbing her arm playfully. “Sooner or later, it’s happening. Why not now?”

“No way!” she snapped, crossing her arms, one eye peeking at him. “No discussion.”

“Is my Reiatsu too weak?” Haruto asked. The Soul King’s flesh had boosted him to match Yamamoto’s Shikai without Vollständig. “What’s the issue?”

“You’ll never get Bankai,” she said, unyielding. “Give up.”

“You used Bankai fighting me before,” Haruto pressed. “Show it again—I’ll observe!”

“Nope.” Her resolve was iron.

“Let’s fight, then,” he suggested.

“No!” she barked. “I just won’t teach you!”

“Sister, give me a reason!” Haruto pleaded. “The Quincy invade in six months. The world’s doomed if we don’t act. I’m stuck as the Soul King’s backup—ate his flesh and everything. If I die, you’re screwed too. Think about it!”

Her eyes wavered. “Forget Bankai. You haven’t mastered Shikai. Learn all its powers, then we’ll talk. Now get out!”

Haruto blinked, baffled. Resistant for a reason? Shy? Hiding something? His Shikai—Spatial Severance, Space Removal, enhanced Shunpo—was potent. More powers? Daydreams of wooing her surfaced, but her flushed face and swift kick cut them short.

“Pervert! Creep!” she screamed, rubbing her foot in his face. In the inner world, she read his thoughts.

“Chill, I was just thinking!” Haruto said. “Your reaction proves I’m wrong. So why block Bankai? My strength helps us both, right?”

“Master Shikai first,” she said, shoving him out.

Haruto snapped awake, pale. Unohana Retsu, watching curiously, tilted her head. “Something wrong?”

“My Sword Spirit’s stubborn,” Haruto sighed. “Resists Bankai. You mastered Minazuki’s Bankai—how?”

Unohana smiled. “I fought Minazuki and won. That earned Bankai.”

Fighting’s the way, but why’s she so against it? Haruto mused. She’d mentioned unmastered Shikai powers. Beyond Spatial Severance, Space Removal, and Shunpo?

“Forget it—practice makes perfect,” Haruto said. “Unohana, let’s spar!”

Her eyes gleamed. She’d been waiting. “I won’t hold back. Bankai: Minazuki!”

“Reverse, Silver Angel!” Haruto unleashed his Reiatsu, amplified by the Soul King’s flesh, rivaling Unohana’s without Vollständig.

Her pupils shrank. Such power. But it thrilled her.

Their clash rocked the basement, Reiatsu shaking Seireitei. Neighbors cursed the sleepless night. Youngsters these days.