If Shiraha's Zanpakutō could cut even Yhwach himself, its power could reverse the Quincy king's strength and physical condition by a full century. But achieving that would first require landing a single blow on Yhwach's body—no simple feat against one who sees and knows all.
"Still, this ability only works on those under a hundred years old," Shiraha murmured thoughtfully.
For Shinigami like Yamamoto Genryūsai, Unohana Retsu, or Sasakibe Chōjirō—elders who had lived for millennia—being cut by Shiraha's blade would not weaken them. Instead, the reversal would restore their youth, revitalizing their bodies and spiritual power to their prime from a hundred years ago. It would, in essence, make them a century younger and stronger.
Yet this was only his Shikai. If Shiraha ever awakened his Bankai, how far could that power reach? Could it reverse or accelerate ten centuries—or even ten thousand years? If that became reality, even Yamamoto or Yhwach themselves could be undone by a single strike from Shiraha's Bankai, their existence erased into nothingness.
He exhaled softly. "Still, this ability feels oddly tasteless. Without the immortality from the Dior template, I'd probably find it troublesome."
Shiraha's second Shikai ability—Time Acceleration—was, at first glance, less impressive to others. But it was overwhelming in practice. Once released, Shiraha's attack speed and movement multiplied fivefold. If he could originally slash a hundred times in a second, now he could strike five hundred times in that same moment.
The cost, however, was steep. Every use consumed five years of lifespan, and maintaining it beyond a single day caused that loss to multiply exponentially. For most Shinigami, even those who lived millennia, the price was unbearable. Few would dare to wield such an ability.
But Shiraha was different. His immortality nullified the drawback completely.
"Just Shikai alone grants such power," he mused with quiet satisfaction. "It truly deserves the title of a time-based Zanpakutō. Thank you, Baiyue."
He turned his gaze toward the ethereal woman in the red kimono standing before him—his Zanpakutō spirit.
"As long as I can aid Master Shiraha, Baiyue is content," she replied gently, her eyes soft.
"Master Shiraha," she added after a pause, "you seem to be in danger outside. You should return now."
Time flowed differently within the Zanpakutō's inner world. What felt like hours here could be mere minutes outside.
"I understand. I'll come back to see you again soon." Shiraha smiled faintly.
As his words faded, his form dissolved. A pull dragged him back into his body.
When he opened his eyes, the world around him had changed completely. Everything within a kilometer radius was gone—reduced to a barren expanse of white sand. Only Aizen and Gin stood nearby, untouched amid the devastation.
The wooden blade at Shiraha's waist had transformed into a pristine white Zanpakutō, identical to the one in his inner world. The scabbard was pale and patterned, radiating quiet authority.
"Forgive me, Captain Aizen, for destroying so much of your palace," Shiraha said calmly, stepping forward in a flash of Shunpo. He handed the Hōgyoku to Aizen with a faint smile.
"It's fine," Aizen replied with his usual serenity. "It seems your eyes have fully recovered. I assume you gained what you desired."
Aizen tucked the Hōgyoku into his robes, his gaze drifting to Shiraha's now-clear, ice-blue eyes.
"Indeed," Shiraha said. "If not for your assistance, Captain Aizen, I wouldn't have regained my sight."
"Ah, congratulations, Captain Shiraha," Gin chimed in with a sly grin, his hands tucked inside his sleeves. The Reiatsu Shiraha had unleashed earlier had been enough to startle even him.
"Captain Ichimaru," Shiraha said lightly, "you're exactly as I imagined."
"Oh?" Gin tilted his head with mock curiosity. "And how did you imagine me?"
Tousen Kaname, silent until now, clenched his fists faintly. Like Shiraha once had, he was blind—robbed of light. Seeing Shiraha's restored eyes filled him with something dangerously close to hope. If the Hōgyoku could heal Shiraha, could it not also restore his own sight one day?
Ulquiorra, observing from a distance, studied Shiraha in silence. "Who exactly is this Shinigami…" he murmured, a rare trace of curiosity in his voice.
As Shiraha turned to speak again, his expression suddenly hardened. He closed his eyes.
Gin blinked, startled, while Ulquiorra's brows furrowed in confusion.
"Captain Aizen," Shiraha said coldly, "it's rather impolite to use Kyōka Suigetsu while I'm speaking with Captain Ichimaru."
From the moment he had returned to consciousness, Shiraha had been using Observation Haki to sense every fluctuation around him. In addition, he'd subtly activated his Shikai's Time Acceleration to heighten awareness, anticipating Aizen's trick.
Even though Aizen's Complete Hypnosis would not fatally harm him, Shiraha refused to let himself be manipulated so easily.
Gin's pupils shrank in shock. Aizen used Kyōka Suigetsu? When? He hadn't even sensed it.
Aizen only smiled, unbothered. "Ah, you noticed. I merely wished to see what kind of abilities you gained from the Hōgyoku. Don't take it personally."
With that, he casually released Kyōka Suigetsu's effect.
Aizen didn't need to speak an incantation to activate or dispel his Zanpakutō's Shikai—few captains of Bankai level did. His attempt had been nothing more than a test, a small measure of Shiraha's growth.
If Kyōka Suigetsu could still affect Shiraha, that would have been ideal. If not—well, that too revealed much.
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