"You mean it?"
"You really agreed?"
Zhuoyin, now in her human form, raised an elegant brow, suspicious despite the pleased tone in her voice.
"Of course," Lan Yan replied smoothly, wearing a perfect smile. "Sure, I have a lot of powers… but you? You're my favorite. The most important."
"You said it yourself: the Zanpakutō is the true core of a Shinigami."
It was a line that might've earned an Oscar from a man sweet-talking a girl into his bed.
"You're not lying?" she asked, her expression softening.
"Shinigami don't lie to their Zanpakutō," he said, hand on heart.
"…Alright. You said it."
"Then we're done here for now."
Zhuoyin grinned, placed a hand on his shoulder, and gave him a gentle push.
The world swirled.
Colors and light shifted like a kaleidoscope. When everything settled, Lan Yan found himself once again in the classroom at Shin'ō Academy—surrounded by everyone's eyes.
From noble heirs to Rukongai upstarts, every single student, including Aizen, was staring at him.
[Your perfect first meeting with your Zanpakutō left a strong impression.]
[Her favorability and compatibility have skyrocketed.]
[As a result, she has granted you a second release command, unlocking the full Shikai of the strongest Light–Dark elemental Zanpakutō.]
Lan Yan blinked.
A phrase appeared in his mind—a new release command.
His heart stirred slightly.
He already knew that calling out a Zanpakutō's name correctly allowed Shikai to activate.
But multiple release commands for the same Zanpakutō? That was rare… but not unheard of.
Take Urahara Kisuke's Benihime, for example:
"Awaken."
"Scream."
"Bloom."
"Bind."
"Play with fire."
Each phrase triggered a different effect, all while keeping the same Zanpakutō name.
Now, his Zanpakutō—Zhuoyin—was similar.
But even more remarkable…
It wasn't just the strongest Light-type Zanpakutō.
It was also the strongest Dark-type Zanpakutō.
A true dual-element blade.
The first in Soul Society's history.
And most terrifying of all—it was the strongest in both categories.
"Lan Yan."
"What's it like… being forcibly dragged into your Zanpakutō's inner world for a chat?"
Isshin Shiba couldn't help but step closer, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
This was history happening in his class.
Forget substitutes or make-up lessons—he might as well retire now. He'd just witnessed a once-in-a-millennium phenomenon.
Lan Yan chuckled.
"It was enlightening," he said mildly. "I got to know her much better."
"…She even taught me a second release phrase."
He didn't elaborate beyond that.
Power specifics were sacred in Soul Society. No one with a working brain gave away their secrets.
Even Aizen, in the prime of his power, kept Kyōka Suigetsu's abilities hidden until he became virtually unbeatable.
Isshin nodded in satisfaction.
"Everyone heard that?" he said, turning to the class.
"This is what proper Zanpakutō cultivation looks like. The more you understand your blade, the stronger your Shikai becomes. Maybe even… a new form entirely."
"Remember: mastering Shikai is not an end. It's a beginning. Just like Bankai, Shikai evolves."
"Treat your Zanpakutō as a partner, not a tool. Learn to resonate with it. And then, someday—Bankai will come."
Lan Yan glanced around.
The classroom was on fire with excitement. Even the aloof Byakuya and the cheerful Urahara Kisuke had that rare glint in their eyes—a hunger for progress.
Zanpakutōs were being drawn one by one.
Swords held tightly, eyes shut, minds focused.
Everyone wanted to hear a voice.
To feel that pull into their inner world.
To form a bond.
But…
It wasn't that simple.
This wasn't a matter of willpower.
This was talent.
Resonance.
And power.
Urahara, Yoruichi, and others who already had Shikai could at least sense their Zanpakutō whispering faintly.
But the rest?
Like Kōmura or Amaneda… nothing.
No voice.
No pull.
Just silence and frustration.
Then Aizen stood.
He slowly drew his blade, his smile ever-so-gentle.
"If any of you are open to it…"
"I could perform a live Shikai demonstration."
He glanced at the struggling students.
"Sometimes, seeing is believing."
Lan Yan smirked from his seat.
Ah, there it is. That signature flair.
Even without the full might of Kyōka Suigetsu, Aizen still knew how to command a room.
The stage was his.
📚 Next Time — Chapter 21: "Mirror Flowers, Moon Shadows"
Aizen unveils Kyōka Suigetsu.
Lan Yan answers with Zhuoyin's second form.
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