Chapter Six: Yanling Pill

“What are you implying by that?” Chojirou frowned at the oddly dressed man before him, clearly dissatisfied with his words.

“What I’ve stated is simply the truth. Whether you choose to believe it or not is entirely up to you—it has nothing to do with me,” replied the man coolly. He wore strange attire, gripped an iron staff, and carried on his back a small shrine-like structure, as if it were a sacred altar.

But to truly understand, one must return to ten minutes earlier…

“Wow! This is rare indeed—is this what they call a ‘traveler’s boon’?” Chojirou sat cross-legged on the tatami in his room.

He had finally escaped Yamamoto Shigekuni’s Spartan training. After a year of such relentless discipline, Chojirou’s physical abilities had improved markedly—at the very least, Yamamoto could no longer defeat him with just one hand.

Yet it was something else entirely that now thrilled Chojirou.

Fresh intel about the Soul Reapers had surfaced within his mind… The manga had updated.

“I never imagined that after crossing over, I’d still enjoy such fortune. I thought my knowledge would end there,” Chojirou chuckled to himself. With the latest manga updates, he no longer feared losing grip on the story’s trajectory. He could access enemy information immediately and respond with the utmost precision.

This was an enormous advantage for him.

“But…” Chojirou rubbed his chin, thoughtful. “The Bankai of His Excellency of the First Division is truly overwhelming, isn’t it?”

“The strongest blade, the ultimate defensive armor—not only a necromancer, but in the end, he even felled that Quincy with a single stroke? There must be limits, even to strength.”

The Bankai of Ryujin Jakka—Blade of Enduring Flame—was unmatched in Yamamoto’s hands. Its true power was nearly decisive in battle, a force so great that Chojirou, no matter how hard he worked, could scarcely hope to match it in centuries.

It wasn’t that Chojirou lacked confidence or talent; Yamamoto Shigekuni was simply too powerful.

Yet Yamamoto’s Bankai did not solely discourage Chojirou.

“Still… from what His Excellency implied, the power of Bankai isn’t fixed at inception but can evolve?” Chojirou paused in contemplation. His own Bankai, Golden Palace of Stern Spirit, had only just been completed a month ago. If he seized the moment, perhaps he could yet unlock unexpected power.

Having reached a decision, Chojirou took up his Zanpakuto and laid it across his knees, sinking into deep meditation.

There was no doubt—having attained Bankai, entering his inner world was effortless for Chojirou.

Though, truth be told, this power was not born of his own cultivation.

“So… this is Chojirou Sasakibe’s inner world?” When Chojirou opened his eyes again, he was momentarily stunned by the sight before him.

A vast plain, lush green grass, a sky of deep blue, and a crystalline river.

Such tranquility and peace.

Could it be that a man with such fierce devotion possessed a heart so serene?

For the first time, Chojirou realized that perhaps he did not understand the true Chojirou Sasakibe at all.

“You’ve finally arrived.”

“!”

At the sound of a voice, Chojirou turned to see the oddly dressed man approaching him.

“I have waited long for you, stranger.”

The man halted a few meters away, coming no closer.

“You… were waiting for me?”

“That’s right.”

“You know… I’m not him?”

“A Zanpakuto is a part of its wielder’s innermost self. Do you think I wouldn’t notice any change?”

“...Fair enough.” Chojirou offered a wry smile. No matter what happened to the body, only he himself and the Zanpakuto would know the whole truth. He’d been naïve to think he could deceive him.

“No need for pointless digressions, stranger.” The man struck the ground with his iron staff. “My name is Stern Spirit.”

“I know…”

As a transmigrator, how could he not know the name of the vice-captain’s Zanpakuto that had been the talk of the town lately?

“State your purpose.”

“My purpose?”

“You would not come to this inner world for no reason,” Stern Spirit replied blandly, as if the man before him was of no consequence.

“Ah… that’s true. I have two reasons for coming here, but…” Chojirou eyed Stern Spirit curiously. “Aren’t you curious why I’ve possessed his body?”

“Knowing that now serves no purpose.” Stern Spirit angled his head, his tone unchanging. “You are now the master of this body.”

“Alright, alright…” Chojirou raised his hands in surrender. How odd—Stern Spirit’s personality was completely unlike his counterpart in the anime; this one exuded a calm, almost icy composure.

“First, I want to know what your true power is.” As he voiced his purpose, Chojirou’s demeanor grew serious.

“My true power?”

“That’s right.”

Chojirou was certain about this—given that Stern Spirit was a lightning-type Zanpakuto, he didn’t believe its ability was limited to simply imbuing the blade with electricity.

“…I don’t know.”

“What?” Chojirou was taken aback. He hadn’t expected Stern Spirit to answer so.

“What are you implying by that?”

“I have stated the facts. Whether you believe them or not is your choice and none of my concern.”

“…Is it because I’m not the true master?”

“That is irrelevant.” Stern Spirit turned his head slightly, refusing to look at Chojirou. “Lightning is swift and violent—how you wield it and to what extent is your concern. I have no need to interfere.”

“…I see.” Though he said nothing, Chojirou sensed Stern Spirit’s vague hostility towards him.

Was this why he refused to guide him, forcing him to discover his abilities alone?

“And the second matter…”

Even if Stern Spirit would not instruct him, Chojirou could still experiment and learn on his own. After all, it was only the initial release; many powers and techniques had to be developed independently. But the second matter truly required the Zanpakuto spirit’s cooperation.

“What is it?” Stern Spirit did not even glance at Chojirou, showing no warmth at all. If he could, he might have killed this man himself, hoping the real Chojirou would return.

But he could not risk it; perhaps if he slew the man before him, the existence named “Chojirou” would vanish entirely. Stern Spirit lacked the courage to gamble so recklessly.

“I want you to teach me Bankai.”

“!!”