BLEACH: Blade of Purification

A Zanpakutō is the exclusive weapon of a Shinigami. Its shape, state, and abilities are forged from the Shinigami's own soul as a prototype. By learning the name of their Zanpakutō and communicating with it heart-to-heart, a Shinigami obtains power.

In the beginning, every Shinigami holds an Asauchi. Strictly speaking, an Asauchi is not a Zanpakutō; all Asauchi are the same, with the specifications of a standard katana. A Shinigami needs to live and sleep with their Asauchi, and through accumulated training, write the essence of their soul into it, thereby causing the Asauchi to change accordingly. The most obvious characteristic is that the handguard becomes unique.

At this stage, the Shinigami can proceed to the next step: sword release. Every Zanpakutō has its own name. By calling its name, one can perform a sword release to unleash even greater power and special abilities. The sword release is divided into two stages: the initial release is called Shikai, and the further release is called Bankai.

Among the thousands of Shinigami in any given era, only a handful can achieve Bankai. In the history of Soul Society, any Shinigami who achieves Bankai is etched into history. A crucial prerequisite for Bankai is the ability to materialize the Zanpakutō's spirit in the real world. Forcing the materialized Zanpakutō spirit to submit completes the Bankai.

Some people might not understand what it means to skip Shikai, or even Bankai, and have the Zanpakutō spirit materialize ahead of schedule during the process of an Asauchi merely becoming a Zanpakutō!!

You don't get it, do you? Well, Shihouin Souichirou didn't quite get it either! He wasn't an expert on Zanpakutō research, so how could he possibly understand what kind of unrealistic situation this was!!

But there was one thing Shihouin Souichirou knew with absolute clarity, and that was... he might be witnessing the birth of a new history. The birth of a new history that would determine the direction of Soul Society for the next millennium!!!

"You... who the hell are you?!" The saber-toothed tiger Hollow, its strongest attack interrupted, squinted its eyes, warily sizing up the long, silver-haired man who had suddenly appeared. The moment its attack was about to take effect, a sense of mortal danger had suddenly struck, forcing it to immediately withdraw. That was why it had been forced to retreat, even after switching to its combat form, which was much stronger than before and would take two months to recover from.

It was agitated and hesitant, wondering if the sense of danger it had just felt was an illusion. But it couldn't explain how this man had appeared. Before his sword had suddenly intervened, it hadn't sensed any approaching spiritual pressure at all.

However, to the saber-toothed tiger Hollow's surprise, this newcomer didn't even spare it a glance. No, since his appearance, he hadn't looked at it properly at all. He turned his head to look at Ling Qing, who was panting slightly from being knocked back.

"You..." Ling Qing's eyes widened, looking incredulously at the tall man who had appeared before him. Or rather, the true owner of the face he now wore.

But before he could continue, the other person spoke.

["With a name, a person is a person, not just a beast."]

He spoke a single sentence, but the content didn't quite match the current situation. Ling Qing was taken aback for a moment, then realized those were his own words. Words he had spoken to the man from Zaraki before they parted, when they were discussing the need for a name. But Ling Qing didn't understand why these words were coming from his mouth.

["A name is very important for a person. So, what about for a sword?"]

He slightly narrowed his eyes. Although there was no cold killing intent in his gaze, there wasn't much kindness either. He shouted as if he were interrogating Ling Qing.

["So what about my name!! What is my name!! Do you know it!"]

"...? I don't understand." Ling Qing gently shook his head. He stood up and met his gaze. The two of them were like reflections in a mirror. Although their hair length and clothes were different, their faces were undoubtedly identical.

Ling Qing gently touched his own face. "I don't know what's happening, nor do I know why I've become like this. But I have never forgotten that this is not my true appearance. If you must ask what your name is, I can only answer, you are Sephi—"

["Silence!!"]

But before Ling Qing could completely say the name, a cold glint flashed before his eyes. Looking again, the blade, over 2.5 meters long, was held up by the other with one hand, its sharp tip pressed against Ling Qing's throat.

["I'm not asking you what this face is called, I'm asking you for my name! I'm asking if you have ever been aware of my existence! Have you ever thought that the sword you hold in your hand also has its own name!!"]

His tone was unconsciously filled with indignation, and his gaze towards Ling Qing grew more and more annoyed. Looking into his eyes, Ling Qing sensed the emotions being conveyed. In a daze, Ling Qing had a vague realization. This man before him, who should undoubtedly be called 'Sephiroth'... could it be that... like him, he was not the original? If he had inexplicably acquired Sephiroth's face, then what had he acquired?

Who was he!

["Regrettably, you have not!"]

Not hearing the name he wanted to hear from Ling Qing, the other let out a sigh of regret. He raised the overly long tachi, the corners of his mouth curling up into a devilishly charming arc.

["This sword in my hand? Are you envious? Haven't you been feeling that the sword in your hands is getting more and more uncomfortable to use? The answer is right here. Length. The most easily understood concept. The current sword is too short for you."]

Ling Qing opened his mouth, about to say something, but before that—

["Then I'll lend you this sword for now! Don't you die, not before you say my name!"]

Pfft—!

As if a gale had swept past, by the time Ling Qing noticed, a longsword was already embedded in his chest. The blade, over 2.5 meters long, had pierced straight through his body! And the being who had been holding the sword dissipated like a phantom in a gentle breeze.

The saber-toothed tiger Hollow was completely bewildered by what was happening before its eyes. No matter how it tried, it couldn't understand what had just happened. However, although it couldn't understand the process even after witnessing the whole thing, it was fortunate enough to experience the 'result' firsthand.

The saber-toothed tiger Hollow suddenly felt a tremor run through its entire body. Right before its eyes, at extremely close range, an immense spiritual pressure swirled like a tornado. The aftershocks of its power spread out like a whirlwind, and wherever the whirlwind passed, the gravel was torn into fine dust.

Grayish-white dust billowed.

In the swirling dust, the man who had been pierced through the chest a second ago could be seen... now slowly raising his head. He had no idea what had just happened, only that what he now held in his hand was... a longsword over 2.5 meters in length!

This so-called whirlwind, this surging power, actually had no offensive capability towards him; it was just a bluff. However, even knowing this, his body, contrary to his will and thoughts, was completely terrified.

"Wh... what the hell is going on! Answer me!!!"

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