Bleach: Watch Closely, This Is How You Use a Zanpakutō novel Chapter 141

Chapter 141 - 141: The Test Ends

"Is it because you just recently learned Bankai and haven't fully mastered your Reiatsu control?"

Kensei Muguruma grinned widely, thinking it was his duty as a senior to encourage his juniors. Then, with a smile that was both kind and mischievous, he added, "Good thing I was the one here. If it had been an ordinary Lieutenant, that last attack might have been a real problem."

"But that's still not enough... I should get a little more serious. Futtobase! (Blow it away!), Tachikaze!"

The moment he uttered the release command, his Reiatsu surged dramatically.

A powerful wave of Reiatsu erupted, forcing many of the watching Shinigami to instinctively take a step back. Wisps of green-blue spiritual wind swirled around Kensei, rising into the air.

The katana-shaped Zanpakutō in his hand glowed with a bright green light, slowly shifting into the form of a dagger. As it transformed, gusts of wind spiraled from its blade.

When Kensei swung the dagger, the air currents it cut through turned into razor-thin, green-blue wind blades. A shattered piece of earth from the previous battle barely touched one of these wind threads before disintegrating into dust.

Even those standing near the battlefield felt a chill at the sight of the threads, an instinctive fear creeping over them—a sensation of death looming just a step too close.

"Haa... Kyōka Suigetsu."

Sōsuke Aizen let out a slow breath. The tip of his Zanpakutō, Kyōka Suigetsu, was pointed downward. Though the blade itself showed no visible change, his Reiatsu suddenly spiked.

"What's going on?"

"He released his Shikai... but why hasn't his Zanpakutō changed?"

Some of the Shinigami couldn't help but voice their confusion.

There was no visible transformation, nor any discernible ability being displayed. The overwhelming surge of Reiatsu from moments ago now seemed like nothing more than a flashy distraction.

After a brief pause, a member of the 5th Division spoke up.

"I remember Lieutenant Aizen's Shikai creates illusions similar to mirages by refracting water currents and mist, causing enemies to turn on each other."

"To us, it looks like nothing happened... but in Captain Muguruma's eyes, Lieutenant Aizen's appearance may have already changed completely!"

"This kind of ability has its uses in warfare, but in a one-on-one fight against someone with strong spiritual perception, it might not be as effective. If that's the case, wouldn't that put Lieutenant Aizen at a disadvantage?"

As the onlookers speculated, the two combatants had already clashed once more.

...

After a long battle, Sōsuke Aizen stood on the training field, his face filled with reluctance as he conceded defeat under Kensei Muguruma's blade.

In the end, Aizen lost by a narrow margin. However, considering that his Bankai wasn't suited for one-on-one combat, Kensei, acting as the chief examiner, still deemed him to have passed the assessment.

It wasn't until the very end that Aizen revealed what he called his "Bankai." In reality, all he did was shout, "Bankai!" before casually making up the name "Meikyō Shisui."

He explained that its ability was still based on manipulating water and mist to affect his enemies, but with an increased range.

Without a doubt, this so-called Bankai was a complete fabrication.

Masatsuki Aozaki knew the truth—Aizen didn't possess a real Bankai at all.

It seemed almost absurd that a prodigy, isolated by his own talent, wouldn't have achieved Bankai. But that was the reality.

Deep down, Aizen never truly saw himself as a Shinigami.

He only trusted himself, refusing to place faith in Zanpakutō—the very symbol of a Shinigami's power. He had no desire to communicate with his own blade.

What everyone perceived as his Bankai was nothing more than an illusion, created by releasing a fraction of his Reiatsu and using Kyōka Suigetsu to manipulate Kensei Muguruma's perception.

"I won't end up like him, unable to achieve Bankai... right?"

Masatsuki Aozaki felt a twinge of concern, but at that moment, a voice echoed in his mind.

"Do you see us as your Zanpakutō?"

"...Yes."

After a brief pause, Masatsuki Aozaki gave a firm answer.

Banshō chuckled softly. "Then that's all that matters."

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