"Ready to Bankai, are you?"
"Byakuya-kid, compared to before, you've grown a lot over these years…"
At the entrance of the Urahara Shop,
a black cat leapt lightly inside, glancing at the transparent screen as it spoke.
Its arrival immediately drew the attention of Urahara Kisuke and Tessai Tsukabishi.
Both greeted:
"Yoruichi-san, you're back…"
"Yes…"
Licking her paw, Yoruichi approached the screen, smiling playfully.
"I was going to wander around for a few more days, but then this countdown video appeared.
And since the first Zanpakutō being ranked is Byakuya's Senbonzakura… I can't help but watch patiently now."
Her cat face curled into a grin.
A hundred years ago, before she defected from Soul Society,
Yoruichi, at the request of then-6th Division Captain Kuchiki Ginrei,
had served as Byakuya's teacher,
the Flash Goddess herself instructing him in Shunpō (Flash Step).
And of course,
as one of the Four Noble Families,
the Kuchiki shared deep ties with the Shihōin clan.
So unlike other viewers,
Yoruichi regarded Byakuya more as a junior than anything else.
Naturally, she too was curious
to see Senbonzakura's Bankai performance.
Meanwhile, in the footage—
"Bankai—!!!"
"Senbonzakura Kageyoshi (Vibrant Display of a Thousand Cherry Blossoms)!!!"
He released his grip, voice calm.
The instant Byakuya murmured the Bankai command,
the bright, sunny image dimmed—
the entire world pressing down heavy with dread.
And with it,
came waves of spiritual pressure,
magnified by the broadcast,
crashing outward from the screen.
BOOM!!!
The crushing reiryoku made the air tremble.
Reishi particles in the atmosphere detonated,
producing deafening thunderclaps—
like the onset of disaster itself.
The terrifying surge spread to the real world,
causing uproar everywhere.
Across the Shinigami world,
especially in Las Noches among the Arrancar army,
the reactions poured out:
"What power!"
"So this is the Bankai of a true Captain? Worth the hype!"
On a high platform to the left,
Coyote Starrk, Primera Espada,
his dark hair framing a worn, adult face,
watched with deep eyes, interest sparking within.
Ever since pledging loyalty to Aizen,
he had been intrigued by the Captains' Bankai.
But living in Hueco Mundo,
rarely leaving Las Noches,
he had never seen one firsthand.
Only rumors—
that a Bankai rivaled an Espada's Resurrección.
Now, just from the aura alone,
he wasn't disappointed.
It only heightened his anticipation
for Senbonzakura's true display of ability.
Across from him,
Nnoitra Gilga, Quinta Espada,
leered with his uncovered right eye:
"Tch… not bad. Looks like Captain-class Shinigami aren't total trash after all."
Though his tone was mocking,
deep in his gaze flickered a trace of unease.
The sheer pressure of Byakuya's Bankai—
it was formidable.
Still, not all shared the same reaction.
Yammy Llargo, brutal and bloodthirsty,
crossed his arms, lips curled arrogantly:
"Tch… it's just pressure. Doesn't mean it's actually that strong."
"If his opponent were us Espada, that stiff-faced Captain's Bankai would be nothing but a scratch."
Arrogant as ever.
Though the wave of reiryoku irritated him,
Yammy refused to admit Senbonzakura's might.
Unless, of course…
in future footage, he himself faced Byakuya's Bankai and was crushed by it.
Only then would he acknowledge its strength.
On-screen—
At the peak of tension,
Senbonzakura's blade sank into the ground, vanishing.
Darkness deepened.
Then—
countless colossal swords rose in formation from the earth,
towering around Byakuya, radiating mountain-like pressure.
At last,
those blades dissolved—
splitting into billions of shimmering pink petals,
flooding the skies like a river,
blanketing the heavens above Seireitei.
An endless deluge of blades,
each petal a knife edge.
The oppressive majesty, the sheer visual shock—unmatched.
"So strong!!!"
"No wonder Kurosaki was cut down so easily!"
"This looks like a natural disaster! Not even the worst calamity could match this!"
In the Human World,
at Karakura High,
students trembled,
souls quaking with dread.
Just watching the image left their bodies weak,
as if stabbed in the spirit.
They could hardly imagine—
if those torrents of blades descended,
not only would Renji be annihilated instantly,
but the entire sector of Soul Society's corridors and structures would be obliterated.
As for Ichigo—
a rookie Shinigami—
his earlier defeat seemed only natural.
But among the shock and awe,
Ichigo's own eyes darkened with doubt.
"So strong…"
His bangs lifted by the spiritual wind,
Ichigo whispered with hesitation:
"In the future… could I really defeat someone this powerful?"
Witnessing the overwhelming Bankai of Senbonzakura,
Ichigo couldn't help but question himself.
Though not the type to give up easily—
this sight,
these countless petal-blades beyond measure,
each one stabbing into his heart like doubt,
made him falter.
(End of Chapter)
If I see that this fanfic has support, I will upload it to Patreon!!
[[email protected]/Zukooo]
[Thanks for your support!]