Feeling the gazes around him, Shigure Segawa remained calm, responding to Sato Homura with a gentle smile.
Before long, the ceremony officially began.
"Welcome, new students!"
"At the Shinō Academy, we shoulder the responsibility of nurturing the future members of the Kido Corps, the Stealth Force, and the Gotei 13. This tradition is dedicated to maintaining the stability of the Soul Society."
"We hope that all of you will continue this tradition with relentless effort, day and night."
The entrance ceremony proceeded with symbolic speeches delivered by the headmaster and instructors.
Afterward, students were assigned to classes based on their entrance exam results.
Naturally, Shigure was placed in the elite Special Advancement Class, which consisted solely of those who achieved top scores in the entrance exams.
However, compared to Shigure, the others in the class seemed far less "elite."
As they sat together in the classroom, many couldn't help but glance at Shigure from time to time.
After the teacher's brief self-introduction, it was finally time for the most anticipated moment—the selection of Asauchi.
Although Shigure maintained a calm demeanor, his heart was already brimming with anticipation.
Under the instructor's guidance, the Special Advancement Class arrived at the central building of the Shinō Academy.
Each student underwent a strict identity verification process before being allowed entry.
Walking through the dark corridor, the instructor explained the significance of the Asauchi and Zanpakutō, their words stirring excitement among the students. Their faces flushed with eagerness.
To become a Soul Reaper was not just an honor—it was a symbol of status!
Many began to fantasize about the kind of powerful Zanpakutō they might awaken.
Meanwhile, Shigure held his breath, waiting for the system's notification to begin.
The instructor pulled back a white curtain ahead, revealing a shimmering blue barrier.
The barrier's guardian nodded at the instructor, then turned to face the barrier, extending their palms forward and beginning a chant:
"Sky of steel, land of mist, desert of ice, ocean of fire!
Bow and bind, twist and seal!
The origin of blades, the rift of creation…
Open!"
With a loud command, a radiant white seal formed in the guardian's palms and shot toward the barrier.
The barrier dissolved, revealing a long corridor.
At the end of the corridor was an expansive lake.
The lake's surface was frozen, and embedded in the ice were countless pure white blades, radiating spiritual energy.
These were the Asauchi!
Shigure's pupils contracted slightly as the system's notification rang in his mind.
"Ding! Congratulations, Host, for arriving at the designated sign-in location. Sign-in will commence shortly!"
"Host, please complete the additional task: Obtain an Asauchi."
"Once the additional task is completed, the sign-in countdown will officially begin!"
Narrowing his eyes, Shigure confirmed his earlier suspicions.
This sign-in indeed came with an additional task, further proving his theory.
The system's reward this time was likely related to the Asauchi.
"All students, listen up! The Asauchi Rift is only open for one hour. Step forward boldly!"
"Listen to the voice within your heart and choose the Asauchi that belongs to you!"
"Companionship, understanding, fusion!
"When you finally release its true name, it will transform into your Zanpakutō!"
The instructor's voice rang with reverence and solemnity.
"Yes, sir!!!"
The students responded with fervor, stepping forward one by one to select the Asauchi they believed to be the strongest.
Taking a deep breath, Shigure advanced steadily.
Unlike the others, who ventured into the center of the frozen lake, he unhesitatingly drew the first Asauchi in front of him.
This wasn't laziness.
He understood that there was no difference between the Asauchi.
When Nimaiya Ōetsu forged them, he imbued each with limitless potential.
"The nameless Asauchi holds infinite potential as a Zanpakutō."
The strength of a Zanpakutō did not depend on the blade itself but on its wielder.
The moment the wielder grasped the Asauchi, their soul would begin to merge with it.
Thus, the true power of a Zanpakutō was determined not by the Asauchi chosen but by the act of choosing itself.
Without hesitation, Shigure gripped the first Asauchi.
The cold sensation seeped into his hand as Shigure felt something within him flow toward the hilt of the blade.
The system's notification sounded once more.
"Ding! Additional task completed. Host has successfully obtained an Asauchi!"
"Sign-in is now commencing. Leaving the sign-in area will result in failure!"
"Ten seconds remaining."
Closing his eyes, Shigure exhaled slowly, calming his mind.
The countdown began.
"One second."
"Zero."
"Ding! Congratulations, Host! Sign-in successful!"
"Reward: Supreme Zanpakutō!"
Shigure's eyes widened in shock. Before he could react, a tearing sensation coursed through his body.
When he opened his eyes again, he was no longer standing on the frozen lake within the Asauchi Rift.
Instead, he found himself in a strange space.
The ground beneath him was split by a bottomless black chasm, dividing it into two sides.
On the left, storms raged violently.
On the right, lightning crackled and danced.
Directly ahead, a massive ancient dragon coiled in place!
Its left eye was tightly shut, while its right eye stared unblinkingly at him.
The left side of its body was surrounded by swirling storms, while the right side was enveloped in arcs of lightning.
This was a creature Shigure had never seen before, yet he felt an inexplicable sense of familiarity emanating from it.
The moment he realized this, his heart tightened.
The dragon before him seemed to be his Zanpakutō!
And this storm-and-lightning-filled land was the inner world of his Zanpakutō!
What was going on?
Typically, entering the inner world of a Zanpakutō required long periods of attunement and understanding…
But all he had done was grasp the Asauchi. He hadn't even begun to contemplate anything else.
After a brief moment of shock, Shigure quickly pieced it together.
This must be the effect of the system's reward.
The so-called… Supreme Zanpakutō!
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