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Chapter 10: Don't Fear Your Shadows II
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"What's he doing?" A student whispered to his fellow.
"Looking at his Asauchi? I heard he's been like that since he's got it."
"Aghh, I wonder when we will get our Asauchi."
"Just practice like him," Another shrugged.
"No way, I still can't even enter Sword Zen! It just doesn't make sense!"
"I'm not a freak like him. He's even better at Sword Zen than the nobles. Just closes his eyes, and boom, he's gone!"
The individual they speak of is without a doubt Akashi, his sword placed on his lap, seated in a meditative pose.
Akashi's hands were gently placed on his Asauchi, softly wrapping his blade with his wine red Reiatsu.
By his side was Renji, Rukia, and Izuru. The three seemingly trying to learn from him, especially the latter.
Izuru Kira was of lesser nobility, though he's very talented in Kido; he hasn't shown as much talent in sword zen.
"How?" Izuru whispered, speechless.
"He literally just closed his eyes and puff," Renji was similarly astonished. The two met a while ago but only made friends today, hitting it off, especially since Izuru doesn't have many friends among the nobles.
"He looks so peaceful, instead of his usually annoying self," Rukia couldn't help but point out.
"What was that, twelve?" Their voice must've awakened Akashi from his deep meditation as he questioned.
"Shut up... Ah, stupid," Rukia... Well, she mustn't have come up with a funny label for him just yet.
"Is your curse vocabulary lacking?" Akashi was curious.
"Nonsense! I grew up in Rukongai, of course, I know how to curse, stupid," Rukia let out a huff, turning her head aside and ignoring him, "Renji! Stop laughing!" Only to see Renji badly holding his laughter back.
"Hahah, Sorry sorry, anyway, Akashi. How do you do it? And did you hear it? your zanpakuto's name?" Renji curiously asked, the answer to which both Rukia and Izuru wanted to hear as their ears perked up.
"Asauchi are a mirror. They are blank, and only show what they reflect. They ultimately have no identity of their own."
Akashi traced his fingers on his Asauchi and continued, "All Shinigami must spend every waking moment with their own Asauchi. That's what I am doing."
"And as Shinigami progress in their training, they slowly and methodically imprint the essence of their soul into their Asauchi."
"This is how you guide and mold your own unique Zanpakutō. Something which can take years to decades to attain."
Akashi reluctantly detached his sight from his Asauchi, eyeing the three, "I have only had my Asauchi for a couple of days. Even if I want to, I can not communicate with it."
Akashi stroked his chin as he explained, "How I do it is... Obsession. I don't know if that's something that can be taught, but my obsession simply allows me to enter Sword Zen whenever I wish."
"Obsession," Rukia seemed evidently confused, and so were the other two.
If they wanted to ask him more questions, they didn't get the chance as the instructor finally arrived, their Kido instructor, Kiyomura.
"Good morning," She began as soon as she walked in, her voice clear and steady, "Last session, you were introduced to Hadō, the destructive force of Kidō. Today, we focus on its counterpart, Bakudō; The art of restraint and protection. Pay attention, because mastering this will often mean the difference between life and death."
The class stilled as Kiyomura stepped to the side, revealing a wooden mannequin.
"Bakudō isn't about overwhelming force. It's about precision, strategy, and control. It requires not just spiritual energy but also discipline."
She raised two fingers toward the mannequin and chanted, "Bakudō #1: Sai."
A shimmer of energy condensed into threads, snaking through the air and snapping the mannequin's arms behind its back.
"Sai is a fundamental spell, designed to immobilize an opponent's arms. It's simple but effective, requiring minimal energy. Watch closely."
Kiyomura released the spell, the mannequin's arms returning to their neutral position.
"Your task is to cast this with precision and intent. Visualize your target bound. Without a clear mental image, the spell will falter!"
The students were paired up, one acting as the caster and the other as the target.
Akashi found himself partnered with none other than Rukia, who looked a bit uneasy but still showed off a strong front.
"Go ahead," Akashi gently said.
"Didn't have to tell me!" Rukia raised her hand, fingers fluttering. "Bakudō #1: Sai!"
A faint pulse of energy sparked but fizzled out before it could reach Akashi. Rukia was stunned, stumping her feet in frustration.
"You're too hesitant," Akashi said, "Don't think about the spell. Picture my arms pinned. Visualize it clearly, then let the energy flow."
"I know, okay?" Rukia tried again with frustration, and while the pulse of energy flew farther, it still didn't reach him, something told him that it wouldn't have done much.
"Is that it, Twelve?" Akashi said, seeing her anger rising directly after, "That's it, channel that anger. Imagine my arms bound. You lack resolve, so use anger instead."
"Bakudō #1: Sai!!"
Akashi only saw a flicker of light before he felt his arms lock behind his back.
"Yay! I did it!" Rukia jovially jumped in celebration. She seemed much more emotional than Akashi remembered her to be, and very immature. She hasn't yet experienced whatever it is that will change her.
Akashi couldn't help but nod approvingly, though he had to remind her, "Cancel the spell."
"Cancel the spell, huh?" A malicious smile emerged on Rukia's face as she walked up to him, "You're defenseless. Twelve this twelve that, did you think I won't take revenge."
"Huh?" Akashi raised a brow, a chuckle leaving his lips, "It's my turn next, so whatever revenge you inflict, I will have the opportunity to return tenfold once you're also defenseless, so think again."
"Ah?" Rukia was stunned, then her victorious expression crumbled, muttering under her breath, "Bully."
Akashi felt his arms unlock, his right hand directly reaching out to ruffle Rukia's hair, "Good job, Rukia."
He then walked to the side, preparing to try the spell, leaving her stunned in place.
When Akashi raised his hand, the energy condensed sharply, visualizing Rukia bound, stomping the ground in anger. It just made perfect sense, "Bakudō #1: Sai."
Rukia yelped as her arms snapped behind her back, forcing her out of her daze, "Hey!"
Akashi nodded, ignoring her and repeating the spell several times, each iteration more refined than the last.
"Not fair! I only tried three times!" Rukia protested.
"Bakudō is not just for binding," Kiyomura said after the students had practiced extensively.
"It is a tool for shaping the battlefield. You can layer spells, combine them with Hadō, or even use them defensively. Let me demonstrate."
She turned to the mannequin again, chanting, "Bakudō #1: Sai!" Once the mannequin's arms were bound, she followed with, "Bakudō #8: Seki!"
A glowing orb of energy appeared, hovering in front of the mannequin. "This repulsion barrier will protect me while I reposition or prepare another spell."
The students watched intently as she released both spells, her movements seamless.
"Control and creativity," she said, turning back to them. "These are what make a Bakudō master."
"For our final segment today," Kiyomura continued, |we'll touch briefly on barriers. These spells protect rather than bind and are just as vital in combat.|
She raised her hand, chanting, "Bakudō #21: Sekienton." A burst of red smoke filled the area, obscuring her completely. When the smoke cleared, she stood unharmed, her calm demeanor unchanged.
"Invisibility, defense, disorientation; barriers can do all this and more," she said. "You'll learn these techniques in time, but for now, remember this: a Shinigami is not just a warrior. You are also a protector."
As the class filed out, students chattered about their successes and failures. Akashi walked silently, his mind replaying the lesson... Until he noticed the presence of two figures from the corner of his eyes.
Kiyomura must've also noticed them, leaving her stunned, quickly recollecting herself and respectfully nodding at them.
The figures were that of a tall brow-haired individual with a silver-haired individual, standing a bit far away, having been inspecting the freshmen.
"Captain Aizen?" Akashi, seemingly without a sliver of hesitation, started walking toward Aizen, "Captain Aizen, it's been a while."
"Indeed, I see you've been doing well, Akashi," Aizen was as usual, polite and soft-spoken, "This is my lieutenant, Ichimaru Gin."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," Akashi extended his hand toward Gin though the latter did nothing but look at it with his closed eyes?
Gin seemed like a very strange individual with an unflinching smile and closed eyes, or rather, eyes narrowed to slits.
"Blind?" Akashi asked curiously.
"..." Gin blinked, opening his eyes, showing his bright sky blue eyes, "No, I merely didn't see you."
"..." Akashi also blinked, eyeing him strangely and wondering why the aggression, or was he just being messed with.
Either way, there were more pressing matters at hand as he ignored Gin and focused on Aizen, "Captain Aizen, I have some doubts. Can you help me solve them?"
The students... They almost always envy Akashi's bravery and courage to simply do things without hesitation for very few students would dare approach a Captain so casually.