"Really?"
"You agreed just like that?"
Kōfūin had agreed so quickly, Aiyan couldn't help but feel happy—but also a bit suspicious. It felt too easy.
"Of course," he said with a smile.
"You know, I might have many skills, but among them… I like you the most. You're the most important."
"As you said earlier, the Zanpakutō is the root of a Shinigami's power."
Aiyan spoke smoothly, like a man trying to coax a girl with sweet talk.
He looked every bit like the type of guy who'd talk a girl into bed with pretty words.
"You're not lying to me, are you?"
Kōfūin raised an eyebrow. But seeing the confident way he said it, she couldn't help but smile, the corners of her mouth lifting just slightly as she secretly rejoiced.
"A Shinigami never lies to their Zanpakutō."
Aiyan nodded with a serious face.
"You said it."
"Alright, we'll leave it at that for now."
"I've got things to do, so let's talk more next time."
Kōfūin didn't question him again. She placed a hand on his shoulder, turned him gently around—and just like that, his consciousness was sent back.
The world around him changed like flipping through a slideshow of memories. In a blink, the image froze—and he found himself once again sitting inside the familiar classroom at the Shin'ō Academy.
Dozens of eyes stared directly at him.
From noble heirs to students born in Rukongai.
Every single student, even Aizen Sōsuke, was staring right at him.
[Because you made an excellent first impression during your first Zanpakutō communion, your Zanpakutō's favorability and trust in you has increased sharply. She has decided to reveal to you a second release command, allowing you to fully master her Shikai—Zanpakutō of Light and Darkness, the strongest of its kind.]
As soon as Aiyan's consciousness returned from the inner world, a voice echoed in his mind—and at the same time, a brand new release command was engraved into his memory.
He had taken the Zanpakutō Theory class before, so he knew well:
A Shinigami can awaken Shikai by calling out their Zanpakutō's name with the correct command phrase, also known as the "liberation language."
However, the same Zanpakutō can sometimes respond to multiple liberation phrases—each one triggering a different variation of Shikai.
For example, Urahara Kisuke's Zanpakutō, Benihime, had five different release commands:
"Awaken, Benihime."
"Sing, Benihime."
"Shatter, Benihime."
"Restrain, Benihime."
"Play with fire, Benihime."
Though the name remained the same, each phrase activated a different power from the Zanpakutō.
Aiyan's Zanpakutō, Kōfūin, was no different.
Not only had he now learned a second release command—but in that moment, Aiyan came to understand just how terrifying his Zanpakutō truly was.
It wasn't just a Shikai with dual powers.
It was the strongest Zanpakutō of the light system.
And also the strongest in the dark system.
The only one of its kind in Soul Society's history.
The first-ever dual-element Zanpakutō—light and dark—merged into one.
Unmatched in both.
Unrivaled in either.
"Aiyan."
"What's it like, being pulled into the inner world by your Zanpakutō?"
"Can you share the experience with us? Or even just with your teacher?"
Shiba Isshin stepped forward.
He'd been observing this entire time, and now stood face to face with the academy's greatest genius in two thousand years—as praised by Ukitake Jūshirō himself.
The fact that Aiyan's Zanpakutō had materialized on its own, dragging its master into the spiritual world… That alone made this lesson worthwhile.
As a noble of the once-glorious Shiba Clan, Isshin had seen and experienced many things—but he had never seen a Zanpakutō act like Aiyan's did.
"What's it like?"
Aiyan thought for a moment.
"It's like having a face-to-face conversation with your Zanpakutō."
"You learn more about her… about everything she is."
"And in return, I learned a second release command."
He didn't hide it. There was no reason to.
Every Shinigami who achieves full communion with their Zanpakutō gets something in return—new commands, deeper resonance, or a greater understanding.
Of course, the details of a Zanpakutō's powers were personal.
Only a fool would reveal those.
Every powerful Shinigami guards their abilities carefully.
Even Aizen kept the true power of Kyōka Suigetsu secret for years until he stood at the peak of all Shinigami.
"Everyone, did you hear that?"
"This is the true form of sword meditation."
Shiba Isshin turned to face the rest of the class.
"The deeper your understanding of your Zanpakutō, the more power you'll be able to draw out."
"Especially for those of noble birth—you've probably heard this before."
"Achieving Bankai isn't the end. It's the beginning."
"As your power grows, your Bankai will evolve too."
"This applies to Shikai as well."
He looked each student in the eye as he continued.
"Aiyan just gave us the perfect example."
"By communicating with his Zanpakutō, he unlocked a second Shikai release command."
"So don't think mastering Shikai is the end. It's just the first step."
"Your Shikai can evolve."
"Practice sword meditation—trust your Zanpakutō, treat it as a partner. Let your souls resonate."
"If you do that, you'll reach Shikai."
"And one day, Bankai."
It had to be said.
There was a reason Ukitake had chosen Shiba Isshin to teach in his place.
Even though Isshin could be a little silly at times, his wisdom, experience, and insight were real.
He took knowledge that was usually scattered across textbooks, overly technical and dull, and explained it clearly in just a few words.
That's the power of strength—and noble upbringing.
Shiba.
Once one of the Five Great Noble Houses.
Now, with Aiyan's incredible display as inspiration and Isshin's guidance, the entire classroom buzzed with energy.
Tōsen Kaname, Komamura Sajin—even noble heirs like Kuchiki Byakuya and geniuses like Urahara Kisuke—all became visibly more eager to begin their sword meditation training.
Each of them took hold of their Zanpakutō, holding it tightly as they attempted to communicate with it.
But sword meditation isn't something that can be forced by will alone.
It depends on talent—and spiritual strength.
Urahara Kisuke, Shihōin Yoruichi, and others who had already achieved Shikai were fortunate. While they couldn't yet step into the inner world, they could still hear their Zanpakutō's voices in fragments.
But students like Komamura and Tōsen, who had only just acquired their sealed Zanpakutō yesterday, weren't so lucky.
No matter how hard they concentrated… it was just like staring into darkness.
Nothing.
"Everyone."
"If you don't mind…"
"I'd like to perform a Shikai release for you."
"Maybe seeing it up close will help some of you gain insights."
At that moment, Aizen stood up from his seat and looked calmly at the struggling students around him.