"How could it be that easy? Do you really think Bankai is some casual skill?"
Byakuya Kuchiki scoffed, his tone cold as he addressed the buzz of conversation among the students.
"In every generation of Shinigami, only a handful ever attain Bankai. To even be considered, their names are engraved in the history of the Soul Society."
He crossed his arms, trying to appear composed but his eyes betrayed a trace of unease as they remained fixed on the back of the classroom.
"Zanpakutō manifestation is just the first step," he continued. "To truly master Bankai? That's a path that spans thousands of miles. Don't speak of it so lightly."
He was right.
And yet, even as he spoke, his mind flashed back to yesterday when Ran En forged his Zanpakutō without ever needing a sealed state, grasped Shikai instantly, and unleashed power far beyond a freshman's realm.
"Byakuya, don't speak too soon," Shiba Isshin interjected, his usually relaxed tone replaced with something more measured.
"Senior Isshin, are you saying you think he really can master Bankai?" Byakuya snapped back.
Isshin rubbed his chin. "Whether or not he can… I don't know."
"But in all my years, I've never seen never even heard of a Shinigami whose Zanpakutō materialized itself during their first attempt at Sword Zen."
"Not only that, it came out of its own will, grabbed the user, and dragged him directly into the spirit world."
Isshin's voice held no mockery, only awe.
"I've seen a lot of crazy things," he added, glancing sideways. "But this... this isn't normal."
Byakuya's rebuttal died in his throat.
As the heir of the Kuchiki family, he'd received a higher education in Shinigami lore than most. He knew how rare it was to see a manifested Zanpakutō especially one that took the initiative to appear, even more so to reach out physically to its wielder.
Even his own Zanpakutō, Senbonzakura, rarely revealed itself.
But Ran En?
His Zanpakutō acted like a loyal companion eager, almost affectionate.
Byakuya looked at Ran En.
Then at the red-dragon-shaped manifestation of his Zanpakutō beside him.
Why is yours so… obedient?
Why is mine so tsundere?
[Mental Realm - Inner World of Zanpakutō]
Just then, a familiar system-like voice rang in Ran En's ear:
[Your Zanpakutō is delighted you want to meet it. The spiritual world has been thoroughly cleaned and prepared for your visit. You are invited for a heart-to-heart talk.]
Suddenly, Ran En felt a weight on his shoulder and in the blink of an eye, his surroundings warped.
The classroom, Aizen, and the murmuring crowd all vanished.
What replaced them was a boundless sky and a golden sun overhead. Beneath it, a towering mountain.
At the peak of that mountain…
A crimson dragon coiled, watching him with bright, intelligent eyes that sparkled like stars.
There was no hostility.
Only warmth.
"So we finally meet. You must be… Shokuin."
Ran En smiled.
It wasn't a question. It was a statement.
The dragon dipped its massive head.
"Correct."
Just the slight motion created a shockwave in the spiritual world, wind howling across the mountain peak.
"I saw your materialization in the real world just now. Does that mean… I'm ready to master Bankai?"
Ran En stepped forward calmly.
Though this was their first formal conversation, the connection between them felt old deeply familiar, as though they'd known each other for years.
One soul. One blade.
"If you pass my test," Shokuin said, mischief twinkling in her eyes.
"Test?" Ran En blinked. "But… I thought all my powers cultivated themselves?"
Zanpakutō, Reiatsu, Kido, Zanjutsu his very essence trained these things on their own. What kind of 'test' was this?
Shokuin narrowed her gaze and spoke with mock seriousness:
"As long as you promise that when fighting you prioritize me first."
"Not Kido. Not Kendo. Not Reiatsu. Me."
"I don't care how flashy the others are. You use me first. Or I'm not helping you unlock Bankai."
"…Huh?"
Ran En's brain froze for a second.
Wait.
Three others?
Don't tell me…
He thought back: Reiatsu, Kidō, Kendo.
Yep. That's three.
Shokuin caught the shift in his expression and confirmed it with a nod. "Yes. I'm talking about them."
"But… aren't all four part of a Shinigami's power? What's the big deal?" Ran En protested.
Her eyes narrowed.
"Sure, they're all part of your power. But I am your Zanpakutō. I am the root. The soul. The origin. I'm not just some spiritual energy or spell formula. I'm you."
She scoffed.
"Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Kidō? Mere pebbles beneath my feet."
Ran En rubbed his temples.
"Are you sure your name's not 'Uchiha' instead of Shokuin…?"
Now she was pouting.
Ran En sighed.
"Fine. Fine. I'll prioritize you in battles. I swear."
"Just… don't start fighting with Reiatsu and Kidō again. I don't have the mental bandwidth for another power struggle inside my head."
With a flash, the red dragon leapt down from the peak, her body twisting in midair and landed softly before Ran En as a tall, red-haired woman.
Long hair. A powerful build. Crimson eyes with just a hint of pride and fire.
"Say it again," she said.
"Say it sweetly this time."
Ran En blinked.
"…I'll use you first in battle."
"Good," Shokuin smiled sweetly. "Then we'll start training your Bankai."
And with that, the golden sun in the sky seemed to burn a little brighter.