Fifth Division, Spiritual Power Restoration Chamber.
The polished, shiny floor was like a mirror, reflecting the physical form of the person sitting cross-legged on the ground.
Takashi held a calligraphy copybook, staring at the painting-like characters for a while before closing his eyes.
The copybook was written by his own hand.
Every time before using the Spiritual Power Restoration Chamber, without any hesitation, he would follow his intuition and write the first character.
Then, with his whole heart and soul, he would outline the thing described by the character in his mind.
He did this with the determination to make it become a real object.
There could be no wavering.
Shiba Ganju had said that imagination is the fundamental key to Kidō.
And Michibane Aura also proved through practical action that the command of reishi and souls is the essence of Kidō.
Therefore, a conclusion could be drawn.
The so-called Kidō of a Shinigami is the use of personal will to drive one’s own soul and reishi, thereby creating various incredible spiritual phenomena that are like supernatural occurrences.
Where the focus of training should be placed was now obvious.
Takashi’s training covered everything.
Relying on instinct to write and gaze at characters was an attempt to activate instinct and resonate with it.
Imagining the objects represented by the formation of characters in his mind was a comprehensive exercise for brainpower.
Long periods of imagination were, on the surface, to improve concentration, but in reality, they were to master oneself, making it easier to drive the soul, which is to say oneself.
Then, the mental energy consumed in this process was a test of personal will.
Even the only part not yet touched upon, the command of reishi.
Was not omitted.
The environment of the Spiritual Power Restoration Chamber was very magical; while inside, it felt as if invisible forces in the air were seeping into the body.
Not only did it alleviate the physical burden of mental exhaustion and quickly restore mental strength during the dull and tedious ordeal, allowing the training to continue for a long time.
It could also, like a chain reaction, influence spiritual pressure, causing it to activate on the surface of the body, seemingly ready to respond to the owner’s will at any time and manifest objects along with the imagination.
It was almost exactly like the preparatory steps for activating Kidō.
It just failed to become reality because it lacked the incantation word spirit and a medium.
One could fully imagine.
When the body and mind adapted and remembered this feeling.
Casting Kidō would surely become very smooth.
Showing the true style of an expert.
“Allowing those who are not geniuses to also become strong. That hope is precisely the support that keeps the Squad Members’ emotions stable.”
From this sentence, it could be seen that Aizen was not talking nonsense.
The secret he taught indeed had such an effect.
It was worth mentioning.
A simplified and improved version of this secret was also recorded in the Spirit Arts Academy’s sixth-year textbooks, revered by Ise Nanao as the timeless essence of Kidō.
After all, without a Spiritual Power Restoration Chamber, doing this kind of training was just hurting oneself, and the loss completely outweighed the gain.
Because they lacked instinct or calligraphic talent, even the members of the Fifth Division basically used an even lower-level simplified version.
…
Especially since it was so utterly silent.
There was no wind, no insects, just complete and utter dead silence, as if everything here had been drained of life by the mushroom-shaped creations.
Even so, those creations had no vitality to speak of; they were clearly withered, dead things.
Takashi slowly remembered.
He had been training, but then he suddenly appeared here.
His own inner world.
“You don’t seem very happy… And rightly so, the scenery here isn’t that beautiful.”
The clear voice was momentarily indistinguishable between male and female, instead, it instantly brought to mind a proud eagle crying out in the sky.
And the voice did indeed come from above.
Takashi slightly raised his eyelids.
A figure slowly drifted down from the sky, which had previously been so murky it made one dizzy.
Flowing long hair, a white and colorful cloak, and an unusually large mushroom cap on her head.
It was hard to tell if it was a hat or grew from her head.
High-density reishi glowed blue inside the cap and the inner side of the cloak.
The inner part of her black hair was streaked with blue, and a sapphire-like core hub was embedded in her chest.
A pair of azure eyes shone brightly, even more striking than her delicate feminine appearance.
Her legs beneath the cloak were clad in black boots, contrasting with her snow-white skin.
A section of her calf was exposed in the middle, faintly revealing blue patterns.
This strangely dressed yet beautiful woman floated in mid-air, looking down at Takashi with a dignified smile.
Her posture was more like the master of this world.
…No, to be precise, it was a god.
“I never thought I was beautiful, nor am I unhappy. I don’t care what my inner world looks like. Given my situation, no matter how bizarre it is, it wouldn’t be surprising.”
Takashi showed no trace of surprise, speaking as if to an acquaintance, stating the obvious.
“But I am very unhappy, trapped in a world like this, unable to get out.”
The Mushroom Woman tilted her head, her smile showing no sign of anger.
“Do you really want to get out?”
“Of course, who would want to be trapped in a world like this?”
“I heard that powerful Zanpakutō consider their masters a restraint. Are you that type?”
“What do you think?”
“I say you are not.”
“Not?”
“Not.”
Takashi’s firm answer made the Mushroom Woman smile exceptionally brightly.
She twirled and danced in mid-air, finally descending before her master like falling cherry blossoms.
The distance between them was less than a meter.
Their gazes met, with only each other’s figures in their eyes, making even the world itself seem superfluous.
“A Zanpakutō is its master’s power. Only fools consumed by desire, not masters abandoned by their Zanpakutō. I once wavered between these, but now you have made the choice for me.”
The Mushroom Woman said softly.
Takashi frowned in displeasure.
“I don’t like hearing that. It makes it sound like I was a fool who could be consumed by desire at any moment before this.”
“Weren’t you?”
“No.”
“Hahaha~ Indeed not. To describe it merely as desire is an understatement. It’s the ordinary mindset of a superior being even more exaggerated than a god.”
“Is there anything wrong with an ordinary mindset?”
The Mushroom Woman leaned in, pressing her forehead against Takashi’s, enveloping his figure beneath her massive cap.
The two seemed to merge into one.
“Conversely, to use me, you need this ordinary mindset.”
“So, when you call me, speak softly, just like now, whispering to your other self in your heart.”
“Then I will become you, and you will become me. Together, we will… eliminate everything unpleasant outside, completely, leaving nothing behind…!”
As soon as she finished speaking, Takashi’s vision blurred, and he was abruptly back in reality.
Inside the Spiritual Power Restoration Chamber, everything was as usual, only the Mushroom Woman’s clear, violent voice still echoed in his ears.
“…”
Takashi looked down at the Asauchi at his waist.
It had changed slightly compared to when he first received it.
The hilt had turned blue, and the tsuba was neither perfectly round nor square, inheriting the shape of the Mushroom Woman’s cap.
He slowly drew the sword from its sheath, gazing at the gleaming blade.
His lips moved, feeling an urge to speak his mind.
But Takashi suppressed this urge.
If he were to shout the release command here, this Spiritual Power Restoration Chamber and even the surrounding buildings would very likely turn to dust in an instant.
He had this clear premonition.
“Shinomiya-kun, is your training finished? It’s time to eat.”
At this moment, a clear-eyed young girl appeared before Takashi.
From the Lieutenant’s armband on her shoulder, it was not difficult to identify her.
It was Hinamori Momo, Lieutenant of the Fifth Division.
Due to frequently using the Spiritual Power Restoration Chamber, and even Aizen himself, Takashi and Ichigo inevitably came into contact with this Lieutenant.
And as time went on, their relationship slowly improved.
Takashi could feel that the smile on her face was much more genuine than it had been initially.
She would even come to notify him when it was mealtime, just like now.
“Captain Aizen’s method puts a great strain on the body, so please don’t push yourself too hard. With Shinomiya-kun’s perseverance, you’ll definitely catch up to me in a few more years.”
Hinamori’s words were hard to tell if they were encouragement or showing off, but they sounded quite heartwarming.
Even if she was boasting about her current Kidō mastery, it wouldn’t make people feel annoyed; it was more like a little girl’s small bit of pride.
“Although it’s tough, I can only say it lives up to the teacher’s reputation.”
Takashi didn’t care, picking up his Zanpakutō and gesturing with it.
“They said studying calligraphy would help with Kidō and sword meditation, but I didn’t expect to see results so quickly.”
“…”
Hinamori was slightly stunned.
Her memory was excellent, and although it was just a quick glance, she remembered clearly that Takashi’s sword didn’t look like this originally.
This change could only prove one thing.
“Shinomiya-kun… have you mastered Shikai?”
“Yes, it was a bit faster than I expected. I thought I’d have to grind for a few more months.”
“…”
Even if it took a few more months, it would still be incredibly fast.
Since the Spirit Arts Academy was founded, how many first-year students have mastered their Zanpakutō’s release?
At this rate and spiritual power level, he would probably be able to reach the ultimate secret of Zanpakutō combat tactics, Bankai, before graduation!
“I understand Captain Aizen’s feelings now. Such a genius really can’t be left alone…”
Hinamori looked at the imposing young man, feeling both envious and frustrated.