Here it is, the next chapter of United, it is actually a chapter I have been hoping to release for a while now because it actually holds in it all the theory and knowledge that I have personally constructed for this story my self along with my friend Halphas Greed. It took a while but I think that this chapter will reveal to you all how the Shinigami use their powers and also the uniqueness that sets them apart from the rest of the worlds.
United Against the Legion of Flames
Chapter 36: The Nature of Shinigami
Eco-Dome Dimensional Ship - The Fortune
The Shinigami looked around the scenery of the vast wilderness they were moving through, looking out the windows of the train they occupied. Many were mesmerized by the lush beauty of the fields, hills and fauna that was present all across the fields below the tracks they moved along.
"Incredible, this entire ecosystem is sustained within this ship." Akari said, pressing herself close to the glass to look down at the heard of rhino-like creatures pass underneath.
Their fur appeared to be a faded blue and had multiple horns, with the larger one at the tip of the snout with the smaller set of horn just behind it and moving up towards its back. Oddly enough it looks like a mix between a rhino and a yak with the flowing fur on its body.
"I have not seen creatures like these before; they do not appear to be anything on earth." Daichi stated, looking down at the scenery to see a horned Zebra below. "Why do you have so many different creatures here?"
"This entire ship was designed to sustain and nurture life, it is here that we herd our cattle, rear our steads, and grow out food." Mairne said, standing at the end of the car next to Shunsui Kyoraku and Oetsu Nimya. "We also like to have a viable population of species, after all there needs to be a balance between them. For there is more than those that eat plants here."
They all looked on at the many different species that moved through the lush jungles below and around them, seeing dozens of different species and creatures. Even massive mammals that was covered in long brown fur and larger than a damn elephant.
Some shares characteristics of the species they were familiar, and some that they knew of but no longer existed. Foxes, wolves, deer's and elks seem to be prominent in the forests below their train, but they also noticed a mammoth moving through the forest.
"I have never seen so many animals before." Oak said, having been someone who once lived in the forests in the Rukongai she had seen several creatures within.
But the diversity here truly took her breath away.
On the opposite side of the tram stood the other officers, looking out in wonder as well. It was not often that the Shinigami were given a change of scenery that was like a trip to the zoo, it was actually entertaining. Even to the rigid Link Haven who stood by his sister and watched alongside her.
Arashi pressed his forehead against the glass and looked down, watching a multiple of animals pass by. Some caught his interest with their alien appearance, but there was one that caught his attention. A large reptile that was running below their tram, a reptile he was very familiar with and had no idea how it could exist.
"Is that a fucking Dinosaur?" He exclaimed, making what officers nearby peer down to see if he was telling the truth.
He was not lying as some would have expected, a large T-rex like creature was present, with large spines on its back as he ran through the area in search of prey. It was one thing to see alien and different animals on their little trip, but to see real life dinosaurs was a shocker that few could recover from.
"That is a Devilsaur, we often use them in battle." Mairne responded, making the red haired Shinigami look at him as if he had grown a second head.
"Seriously, you use that thing?" Arashi asked.
He had heard a little bit about these guys and was by far impressed, along with a little wary. These Fleet warriors had done what none thought possible, challenge the Gotei and do more damage that what was thought possible against them.
Defeating the Gate Guardians at each gate and then bringing them all down. Capturing an entire Division, holding them hostage, something that has never happened before, these guys had made a name for themselves. They were a scary bunch, they had put the squeeze on them and the fighting hadn't even begun.
Made him wonder how much damage they could have caused if the fighting continued.
"That and many more, you must understand that we employ whatever we can to fight, be it beast, magic and technology. Everything we have has purpose here, no matter how mundane and simple, we must always be prepared." Mairne responded.
The sightseeing continued on for nearly twenty minutes as the train moved towards its destination, a massive temple located in the center of the ships ecosystem. The massive construct stood over three thousand feet in the air, with its base nearly a kilometer in diameter and littered with many towers and bridges. It would be better considered a small city compared to a single structure of dull grey stone.
"The hell is that?" Link murmured, looking at the massive construction.
"That is the Forge of Irons, the city of the Watchers and holder of the Makers Forge. This is where we will meet Hibal and Ullvar, along with Shutara." Mairne replied.
"Man, you guys are all flashy with these big structures, always trying to outshine anyone you meet. I mean my palace is massive and filled to the brim with hot ladies and now you are trying to upstage me. Not cool man, not cool." Oetsu Nimaya said.
"I would advise caution, the Watchers would find your tone disrespectful, you may be a Demi-God, but that will not stop them from letting their displeasure known." Mairne stated.
Mairne said nothing more before he exited the tram, standing on the platform for only a moment to glance back at the rest of the passenger. All were in a state of awe, never before seeing a structure such as the one they were gazing upon.
Only Kyoraku and Oetsu seemed to not give any signs of interest as the moved along with the High Shaman, walking towards the monolithic forge at a brisk pace. As they moved they heard the hurried steps of many behind them, the rest of their group deciding to follow after they had finished gawking.
Their walk to the base of the city took nearly thirty minutes, arriving at a set of two large doors that were both manned by two large giants. Thirty feet tall each and covered in thick silver armor, in their hands were a shield and spear. Both gave no response to the arrival of the party, or even move to acknowledge their presence as the doors opened and granted them passage.
"Friendly bunch." Mari Chie said.
"The Giants do not speak with others often."
All saw a single man standing before them, although this man was different from a normal human. Instead he stood ten feet tall and wore simple robes below his waist, exposing his heavily muscled and tattooed chest. The long flowing black braided beard and hair concealed half his face from view, but the scowling visage of the man could be seen beneath.
"Ruk'var, we have come to see your master." Mairne said.
"I am aware, that woman who weaves is here as well, working with the forge to create the armor you requested." The Vrykul said, turning and moving down the hall, his boots thudding hard against the floor.
"How is that armor coming along?" Kyoraku asked.
"It is ready; you may test it when we arrive." Ruk'var responded. "Although my masters were loathed to allow her into the Forge chamber, such an honor they feel is not deserved."
Mairne did not respond, but he could tell that Ruk'var was expressing his master's annoyance to allowing those who were once enemies into their sacred halls and chambers. He however did not speak on the matter, choosing not to voice any defense or apology as they would have none of it for the deed had been done.
The trip lasted another hour before they arrived at their destination. Having woven through dozens of halls and chambers, displaying many wonders of magic and technology that the Shinigami could not even begin to fathom or understand. The stone of the building was perfectly carved and shaped, the glass and crystal floors polished and shined like gold with the silver etchings pulsing with surging energy. While walls were decorated with murals of glass and crystals that showed off unknown scenes and events, while massive statues of transparent diamonds showed off many different creatures.
"This is beautiful." Kyorako mused.
"The Titans have always been ones of grand exhibitions in their works and their duty, even the most mundane of structures and facilities held to it an appearance that was a work of art." Mairne replied.
"You can say that again, never seen anything like this in my few thousand years being the Soul King's protector." Nimaya said, his tone losing its cockiness as he examined all the different things within the room.
Holographic displays of planets could be seen, unknown and holding intricate details that made people wonder if they did actually exist.
"Makes me wonder what you guys are fighting against though, all this technology and magic, all of it directed towards militaristic deployment. Makes me wonder what you need it for." Kyoraku asked.
"Oh yeah, heard something about that. The boss man said something about a Great Burning Shadow." Nimaya said.
Mairne came to a halt and turned to face the man.
"We have no time to discuss matters that are not prevalent to this course; we have the Quincy to defeat. When they are bested and their empire dismantled we may discuss ourselves in a deeper capacity, but until then we face your enemy. Not ours." Mairne replied, before continuing his trek without waiting for a reply.
Kyoraku wondered if he should press for information, after all these guys had said that what they are facing is worse than the Wandenreich Empire. He doubted that the evil of that man and his kind could possibly be compared to anything, but this guy thought they were subpar. He knew what they intended to do and what they would destroy, and yet despite it knew they were not the greater of evils.
'What the hell are you fighting? What is out there that is so horrible that you won't speak of it?'
Within a few minutes they had arrived at a large gate, carved into the massive fifty foot tall doors was carvings of a battle. On one side were large titans of power, wielding weapons and powers unimaginable, while on the opposite side were horrific beings of grotesque shape and form that poured itself forward. The details were oddly imaginative as the sight of it somehow made one almost see it more than a design and an actual happening before them.
"We are here, do not speak when entering, and only reply to them if they ask. Do not overstep yourselves, you are guests here and if you behave without respect you will be cast out." Ruk'var stated, before he turned and placed his hand on the door.
A surge of light shot out where he touched the metal and soon the door began to open, moving slowly to reveal a long hallway to all. The stones appeared almost to be gilded, the floors and walls all appearing to be that of faded gold. Lining the walls were many pillars that had large glass floral veins running up its lengths that bloomed ruby colored flowers.
Between each set of pillars stood a large statue of transparent diamonds that were illuminated like constellations and situated behind a starry window to add to the splendor of the effigy. But these ones depicted things of grander design than those in the halls that led to this one, what one would call mundane in comparison to these works of art.
"Incredible…" Akari said aloud, her eyes twinkling as they gazed upon the statue of a robed elven woman next to a large stag.
The image of the moon behind her and stag, the white glow further illuminating the statues and making them shine brilliantly.
"Really are ones for taking your breath away aren't they." Namiya said to himself, looking at the different patterns that ran along the floor and walls.
It was completely surreal how it looked, impossible to put to work on the shapes and colors that sprang out to them as they walked the relatively short distance. Passing under two large statues that held their swords and forming an archway for them to pass through. Into a chamber that few could even begin to comprehend was for.
The Forge that they had come to see was not what they would have expected. Some had thought it to be an anvil and fire pit, that not so different from a smithy. But they were given sight to another wonder that they could not understand.
Sitting in the center of a large dome shaped room, completely spherical, was a large brass platform lined with archaic scripture and patterns. It was suspected in the air by four statues that lined the sides of the room, crouched and pressed against the curved surfaces of the walls. Their left hand's extended forward and holds up the platform, while the right was suspended out into the empty space between the platform and the wall.
Their heads reached near the top of the ceiling and cast their gaze down onto the platform center, their eyes casting a strange pulse of light downwards.
On the forge are several items of note. In the center is a plinth with a smooth surface that shone under the gazes of the statues above. Around the light was a pillar of stone that was suspected above the plinth and hovering precariously.
Standing next to the plinth were two individuals, large humanoids over twenty feet tall and having skin of metal rather than flesh. One was the color of brass and wearing little more than a tunic with two shoulder pads shaped like horned bulls. While the other is a silver skinned entity covered in long flowing robes, who held a disk under his arm.
"Master Hibal, Master Ullvar, I have brought the High Shaman and the Death Gods." Ruk'var said, bowing to the two watchers who turned from their work.
Both moved forward, away from the plinth that was already working on something present within the confines of the light. It resembled a sword, but they could not be sure at the distance. The Watcher stopped at the edge of the platform and beckoned the party forward with a gesture of their hands.
Nimaya moved forward and right towards the plinth where the light shone, his eyes fixed on the sword that floated just above the plinth. He looked and immediately knew what it was, sensing it as soon as he entered the room.
"You know, I found it weird that I couldn't sense your Zanpakuto on you Shunsui Kyoraku, didn't think you had offered it up to these guys." Nimaya said aloud, glancing back at the Captain-Commander. "I find that very disrespectful considering I made that and you trade it off."
"I think we all can agree that we needed to show a measure of faith, what better show than giving them my Zanpakuto to upgrade." Kyoraku replied.
"Alright, let us see these guys at work then." Nimaya replied.
Watching as the Watcher strolled past the man walking to either side of the plinth and look upon the Zanpakuto, raising a single green stone. Hibal presented the stone to the light and it floated up towards the sword, and then Ullvar began his work. With a wave of his hand both the stone and Zanpakuto shattered, leaving behind a cloud of particles.
They began to coalesce and slowly reform together, starting from the hilt and slowly moving up to the tip of the sword. Within a few moments the sword was whole once more, but subtle changes had been noted. The blade and handle looked to not have changed, although along the blade appeared to be some strange runes and archaic designs upon the surface of the metal.
Hibal reached into the light and took the blade into his hand, completely ensnaring it in his grasp, before turning and kneeling before Nimaya. He took the blade and saw that the weapon had only minor changed to its appearance, but he could already feel the subtle alterations within it.
"I am impressed; you managed not to dick this up." Nimaya stated.
"Your arrogance is astounding; you think just because you warp the fragments of fallen souls together you are superior? You are not as mighty as you think." Hibal dismissed the Shinigami.
"Wow, someone is touchy." Nimaya remarked before he turned and tossed the Zanpakuto towards its owner.
Kyoraku caught his blade and examined it for a moment, finding that the dark blue wrappings of the handle had turned pitch black. But it was the white markings on the blade that caught his attention, intricate and unfamiliar runes moved over the blade now. He could not discern the purpose but he could feel them pulse with power, along with something else within.
'I think I should meditate on this when I have the chance.' Kyoraku mused.
"What was that?" Link asked, looking at the Captain-Commander who continued to examine his sword.
"That was the enchantment we promised, we placed an elemental spirit within the Zanpakuto, giving you further power and support." Mairne stated, moving forward and standing next to Kyoraku. "This spirit will aid you, for he sees you as someone that represents his elements."
"I don't know. It seems kind of dark really, always thought I was a more cheerful and light hearted guy." Kyoraku replied, looking at his blade.
"But how is this meant to work? How is giving us a power boost meant to allow us to take on a Sternritter?" Daichi inquired. "Power alone does not give us an advantage."
"This one speaks truth and seems to understand, but only so much." Ullvar stated, looking to address the Shinigami. "You are correct that this is not all that is offered, for you do not possess the experience and knowledge to utilize the fullest potential of your power. That is why you alone are not ready to face a Sternritter and that we must bring out that potential in a different way."
Ullvar turned suddenly and looked to something on the other side of the platform, standing there between several floating pillars was a woman. Many hands around her that worked so quickly that they were but blurs of motion, weaving together something with incredible speed.
"Senjumaru, how goes your weave?" Ullvar inquired.
"Nearly done, and I must say that you certainly know what you are doing." She replied, smiling in a manner that could be taken either as pleasant or condescending. "I had not expected you to be so knowledgeable and gifted, especially on something as complex as this."
She moved away from the pylons, dragging with her the object she had created. A suit of black armor, thin and covered in layers of metal and cloth, it was beautiful as it was terrifying.
"This is the first time I have worked with metal however, so rigid and hard to bend and move how I like, but your little toys make it as easy as weaving silk." Senjumaru stated, smirking up at the silver giant.
"The gift of the Pantheon is not to be looked down upon." Hibal stated. "We have given life to stone and metal, given it thought and voice, what you do is but a trifle compared to what our masters can accomplish."
Senjumaru did not reply, instead float forward and present the armor to Kyoraku, looking at him expectantly.
"When I was told I would be doing this I thought that I would be wasting my time, I have yet to see if I am." Senjumaru stated. "After all, I find it difficult to work in these conditions and with such rigid material and lack of support."
Her gaze turned towards the Watchers who offered no reply, only impassive faces as they looked upon to see her work put to use. As if it was a challenge to see if her skill as a seamstress was nothing but hot air that she continually boasted upon. She smirked before turning back to the Captain-Commander, giving him an encouraging jerk of the chin towards the armor she built for him.
Kyoraku looked at the armor and sighed to himself, he wasn't really a fan of this, but he had to check it out to see if it would work. He could only look at the solid black grey metal with a feeling of claustrophobia, to think he would be contained in something like that.
"Well, best get this out of the way." Kyoraku said.
As he began to remove his robes and clothing, something that a few of the seated officers were a little awkward about, he was approached. Coming to his sides were stout dwarves, but instead of being flesh and blood they were actually made of metal. But he gave them little thought, his attention was on the armor they began to dismantle and bring over to him.
A piece at a time they fastened it to his body, starting with his chest where they fastened the breastplate. It felt light and snug, perfectly fitted to his body and seemed to have some moving parts to it, when he breathed he did not feel it constrict against his chest. He had actually expected it to be a bit tighter, but it didn't feel that way, it was certainly a surprise.
The arms and legs were next and completed quickly, covering the Shinigami Captain neck to foot in solid black-grey armor. He flexed his arm and looked at his hand in wonder; despite the rigidity of the metal he felt no restrains on his limbs. But there was more than that; it actually didn't feel any differently than his former robes.
"I actually thought I was going to be falling down and not going to be able to stand up. But this feels almost the same as if I was wearing my Shihakusho." Kyoraku stated, looking at his hand and then channeling his spiritual power.
His entire armor was engulfed in a brilliant glow of light, but instead of it simply bursting off and escaping it flowed along his limbs. Moving with his armor and pulsing, as if the metal was actually guiding it. It would seem that he did not give enough credit where it was due.
"That works too, you know when you mentioned this I never expected it to work, guess I owe you an apology." Kyoraku said, looking at the High Shaman who gave no response.
"It is an interesting concept, using conduits to draw out the potential of ones powers, but actually making those conduits an extension of the body is another thing." Senjumaru stated, walking forward and looking over her armor. "I never did more with the Shihakusho than have the material bind to the soul, but to make the soul bind to the material is a concept that I felt would restrict the person. This seems to be different."
Senjumaru turned to the Watchers, her interest was piqued, she had only followed their instructions and was very interested the concept of their theory. But she was not the only one, Nimaya was also looking at them, wanting a form of explanation on how they were able to discover so much in so little time.
"She is not lying, you know more about what to do here than some of us, you took apart my Zanpakuto and then made Senjumaru here make a suit of armor as if it was silk." Nimaya inquired. "So spill, tell us how you did it?"
The Watchers looked down at the contingent before they moved back to their forge, allowing the light to pulse for a moment. They did not speak immediately, instead continued to work on the forge, before Ullvar raised his hand and soon beckoned forward. The Zanpakuto of the Shinigami soon were pulled from their grasp and moved towards the Watchers, shocking the seated officers.
"To answer that question we will ask our own, what is it that makes you different from normal humans, even those that dwell in Fleet?" Ullvar inquired. "You know that we are unique, compared to all things on this world. There is a characteristic that defines almost everything that possesses a soul on your world, all but those who came here."
They did not answer at first, instead pondering the question and the detail that had been given so that they could reach it. But it was Kyoraku that found the answer quickly, easily understanding the words and knowing the answer.
"It is the Binding Chain, the Saketsu." The Captain-Commander stated.
"That is correct, the implant that binds you to the reincarnation cycle of this world." Hibal stated, placing his hand on the plinth and soon the light began to morph and change. "But it is so much more and useful, but also dangerous."
The image showed a strange crest that oddly enough appeared similar to the plate that one would see on a Plus soul. But all knew that this was the Saketsu that all souls possessed, seen or not, every living being in the world possessed one.
"This Saketsu is a boost for spiritual power, an amplifier that condenses and channels that spiritual power from the Soul Core within a spirit." Ullvar stated. "That is the source of your great powers and abilities, making you beings that reach tiers that normal spirits could not hope to achieve through natural means alone. Because of that it would make sense to classify this fragment as unnatural."
Many looked on a little surprised by the statement, what could be so unnatural about the Saketsu? It was a natural part of the soul, there shouldn't be anything about it that was unnatural.
"What do you mean?" Link asked.
"He's talking about the fact that not a single person from this Fleet has a Saketsu." Kyoraku stated. "I remember Mayuri telling me this when I spoke with him on the people we captured, no Saketsu what so ever. You guys were the anomalies, but I am guessing in this case we are the weird ones."
"That is correct. The Binding Chain is an artificial implantation that binds a soul to the cycle of reincarnation. But it is not a natural occurring object within the soul; it is placed there in order to tether a soul to another being." Ullvar stated, before gesturing to the three elder Shinigami. "When we analyzed these three, we found that each had their own resonance, but these Saketsu all possessed a signature that was identical. They were placed upon the soul at their conception, from a singular being."
Many looked on a little surprised, they had always suspected that the Saketsu has been a natural part of their physiology. They would have argued back at this, saying it was impossible to be the case, why would it be artificial. Also what could possibly exist that would place a portion of itself onto their souls, just to bind them to the reincarnation cycle.
But it was Nimaya who beat them to the punch before they could question them.
"Yeah, that sounds right. The Soul King is the one who did that, long time ago, long before he entered the Slumber." The God of the Sword said. "He used that as a means to bind the soul to him so that he could control the flow of the Reincarnation Cycle. That was what it was used for at first, it had never been about giving them powers, that came later on actually. A long time later."
The Soul King did use these as tethers to the Reincarnation Cycle that he controls; he needed them in order to make sure that the souls were brought through the Dangai safely and to the Soul Society. If the Reincarnation Cycle had not been made as it was the Dangai would collapse and fall apart. The spiritual realms would start collapsing on one another and destroying everything.
"The concept of this was to tether the Soul Core to the God you refer to as the Soul King. But this tethering altered the Soul and formed a trench into the Soul that allowed for power to be directly flushed from the Soul Core, or the Soul Sleep." Ullvar stated.
The Soul Sleep was the source of all spiritual power, said to reside within the confines of the soul. If the Spiritual body was considered the soul, the Soul Core that holds the Soul Sleep and the spiritual power one possesses than that is the Soul of the Soul.
"In conjunction together the Binding Chain and Soul Sleep boost spiritual power from the user because it is a fragment from the Soul King." Ullvar continued his lecture. "The method of this is useful, despite the drawbacks and technical issues it suffers. The main drawback on this is also the fact that it is linked to the soul and must be controlled."
He wasn't lying, the Saketsu required conscious effort to use and control, otherwise it wouldn't work and all the person would do was expend their energy. But it was more than that as well. It required a great deal of experience in many separate areas to work properly. Otherwise it was a horrendous failure.
"The mechanics behind this is not only about channeling it from the Saketsu and the Core of your soul, but also your spiritual body." Ullvar continued. "The Saketsu acts as a medium between the Core and the body. Within the body that core cannot be reached, this is how naturally the soul works, but with the introduction of the Saketsu that has been changed."
He presented another simulation, showing off the spiritual body that held a Saketsu and an inner core that churned with spiritual energy.
"The Saketsu creates a channel to the core and tethers it, because of this the Saketsu is bound directly to the Soul Core and to the reincarnation cycle as explained." Ullvar said. "But this channel also creates a breach in the Soul Core and to the Soul Sleep, this allows for the power within the soul to bleed out and towards the Saketsu. With some training a soul can learn to access this through the Binding Chain, overriding it and converting it into a amplifier."
It is from here that Hibal took over, his strong throat sounding as a roar over the room despite speaking in a low calm voice.
"Because of the origins of Saketsu the powers passed through it are condensed and amplified by the power of the fragment. This is why you possess so much power, but the Binding itself possesses multiple levels of release and channeling potential. The more that is accessed the greater the amount of power that can be released. Through experience and force of will one could amplify their strength a hundred fold if using this knowledge to the fullest." Hibal stated.
Many knew that already, that the Saketsu while an amplifier did have certain seals and channels on it that prevented it from being used fully. Usually through years of training one could learn to open these channels and allow more power to pass through, but even so that often took centuries to complete. Only some of the Captains actually possessing the power necessary to unlock them all.
The only other way to do so is actually with the Zanpakuto.
"We get that, this is basic knowledge to us. We know that the Saketsu acts as an amplifier for our powers and condenses them and when released we harness that energy for ourselves. But how does this help us understand what you are doing?" Tai asked, trying to see if being straight with them would make them get to the point.
"You know this knowledge, but not the context in the use, understandable. But wait and listen and you will learn." Hibal ordered, raising a placating hand to calm the Shinigami. "As you know of the spiritual energy, you likely know that the spiritual body is composed completely of a single designated particle, Reishi."
Another commonly known fact, everything in the spiritual realm was composed of reishi. The element was a single atomic particle that could only exist in these spiritual realms. No matter what was in the spiritual realm it would always be made up of this particle. The diversity and composition of something was no different, rocks and water, flesh and blood, air and smoke. All things in the spiritual realm were made of the same thing.
Unlike the human world, that was composed of many different compositions of atomic particles arranged in different manners.
"Because spiritual energy can be channeled through reishi this gives the body a greater versatility when harnessing the energy. With your bodies completely composed of this matter, there is less risk of physical resistance due to differentiating matter makeup. This allows the energy to be channeled into more than just certain parts of the body and prevent physical stressing." Hibal stated, and the Shinigami had an idea of how that worked.
"You mean since our bones, muscles and tendons are made of the same particle makeup we don't run the risk of serious injury. But empowering our bodies we don't attribute it to one area but every area." Akari inquired, being a member of the Fourth Division allowed her much knowledge in this field.
But only enhancing one physical part of the body you run the risk of causing serious harm to the user, increasing muscle strength may make you stronger. But you run the risk of snapping tendons and breaking bones as they cannot support the power you are using. The same goes for speed, run too fast and you could flay yourself if you cannot make your skin strong enough to resist the g-forces.
Because their bodies were made up of a single element when they harnessed their power it was mostly evenly distributed around their bodies. If not they would never be able to do any of their abilities, Shunpo would flay a person alive and even break a person's legs. It was because they were spirits that allowed them to resist much of the trauma they would suffer if they were not unbound as they were.
"No different than electrical impulses in organic beings, but where you empower one area you reinforce the others to handle the strain. The stronger the flowing current the faster and powerful the augmentation. This allows for increases in speed, strength, agility, perception and even durability." Hibal continued. "Enhancing ones muscles can increase the strength of a user, overflowing them with excess energy that allows them to carry greater force and power due to the energy stored within the limb."
"The greater one can release their power and control it through the body determines the true strength of the individual, this is why power is not only a sign of experience, but also authority." Ullvar finished for his bronze skinned brother in arms.
Ullvar then showed off images of certain battles seen in the Seireitei, events that had been during the fight against the Quincy. Different techniques and skills were shown, but most dealing with movement, fighting hand to hand.
"By channeling this current through the body and having it tightly controlled one can enhance more than just their speed and strength." Ullvar said, showing the battle with Kyoraku against the two Sternritter, where he was able to force the female down towards the ground. "But they also enhance ones senses and mental quickness, allowing one to see and react faster than normal, the faster the flow and more power used the greater they are enhanced."
The Shinigami looked on and knew this information, it may be advanced in some cases, they had learned this in the Academy. But what they did not know is why this is relevant to them, what was this entire event that had to do with them getting armor and their Zanpakuto upgraded.
But what they are saying is true, the greater ones power it did show that you reached whole new levels of strength than those below. Many had faced against fellow seated officers and beaten the crap out of them easily, and had it done to them in the past. Speed and reaction time is one thing, but sometimes it would seem that it was impossible to keep up with someone who can vanish before your eyes and then reappear.
"So how does us learning about our biology have anything to do with this?" Link asked, crossing his arms irritably, this seemed like a needless lesson.
"As I said in the Elemental Chambers, we intend to make you strong enough to face against Sternritter. But as you are now, you do not possess the power and strength to fight them, so we will need to change that and make you stronger." Mairne replied.
Nimaya walked forward and looked at them, clearly annoyed that he has to say anything. His face may seem impassive but the knitting of his brow showed that he was aggravated over something.
"As you know the Zanpakuto is an extension of yourself and as a Shinigami develops his connection to his blade the stronger he gets." Nimaya stated. "The Zanpakuto is your power given form and meant to represent yourself more than anything else."
"What? Is this philosophical now?" Link asked.
"No you idiot." Nimaya said. "The Zanpakuto is meant to teach you about yourself and your power, learn about the Zanpakuto and you learn about who you are and the power that beats within you. That is why they were made."
"He is correct. The Zanpakuto is a medium, designed to act as an instruction tool in order for you to harness your power. The Saketsu is a tether to the Soul Core and Soul Sleep, it is through this your power courses through, and control is given to the Zanpakuto as it is a representation of your power. By learning through the Zanpakuto you learn how to control that power." Ullvar stated.
"Yet there is more, the Zanpakuto also binds with the Saketsu and the seals upon it. When you release the blade it is not the power that increases, but the seals upon the Saketsu that are unlocked." Hibal stated.
That was something few knew about. While the power within a Saketsu can be harnessed by unlocking it and allowing your full power to be released on mass it was hard to do because it required great deals of focus and training. It could be done but it took a long time to accomplish.
But there were those who knew that the Zanpakuto were actually designed to integrate with these seals and open them up when needed. Whenever the blade was released a set of seals was released that increased the flow of spiritual energy through the Saketsu and into the body. Through training with these releases the amount of power released could be increased as you overclocked the Saketsu.
"So, you're telling me that the Zanpakuto was designed like that? To actually force open the Saketsu more to allow you to gain more power?" Arashi asked.
"That was the original purpose of it, yeah." Nimaya replied. "Had to do it though, you guys needed a damn instruction manual to help you work out how to harness your power."
"What do you mean instruction manual?" Oak Haven asked. "We were taught to control our spiritual energy at the Academy. We also learned to how improve ourselves as well."
"Yeah and where did that come from? Jinzen correct? Meditation and understanding of the Zanpakuto." Nimaya replied. "The Zanpakuto was developed to increase how fast one could unlock their true potential, instead of centuries it could be decades."
"But still that did not make it any less slow, because of your longevity time has a different effect on you. As you live for centuries and your aging is near halted your development is also stagnated, therefore preventing you from gaining greater power." Hibal stated.
"What is that meant to mean?" Arashi barked out.
"Shinigami do not grow in strength quickly because of our long lives." Akari said. "As a human grows they develop and grow stronger with age, but our lifespans are nearly ten times longer than humans, but at the same time slower in development. Ten years for us is the equivalent as one year for a human. Because of this slow progression developments for us take time to take hold and as we develop we do so at a much slower pace."
Their long lives allowed them the time to harness their power as it was; if they tried to harness it while they grew older at a rapid rate they would likely find it difficult to harness it. Their long lives allowed the Shinigami to harness the power they had and make subtle changes as they grew older by the centuries. But in turn their powers often did not grow rapidly because of it and often required the substitution of control rather than raw power.
"So these spirits you will implant into the Zanpakuto, what will they do?" Souta asked.
"They will guide you on bonding with your Zanpakuto as well as enhance your abilities further than they already are." Mairne replied. "The spirit is meant to aid you in releasing your potential to the fullest, not by raw power and force of will, but through understanding what lies within you. The Zanpakuto spirit within your blades must be understood, and through the clarity they can bring you will find that understanding."
"Think of them as an instruction manual to learning from your Zanpakuto." Nimaya stated, deciding to oversimplify it for them all. "You guys are being given a real gift right now, do not mess this up."
"Holy shit, this is awesome." Mari Chie smirked and gave a playful punch to her bold friend that stood by her side.
The Shinigami officer turned and regarded the High Shaman and made his own inquiry.
"What about the armor?" Daichi inquired. "I can understand that these elemental spirits will aid us in learning more of our Zanpakuto spirits which will allow us to unlock our inner potential and that of the Saketsu. But how does the armor fit into this?"
"The armor is to make up for your inexperienced; you have little control over your spiritual energy. Even with many decades of training you still require more training to fully utilize that power, by giving you the elemental spirits you will likely grow more powerful in a short amount of time and be unable to harness this new power effectively." Ullvar. "The price that time has given you in your slow growth has allowed you to harness your power over a long period of time."
"Without those years, instead days to learn how to control it, gone you have no choice but to use something that can harness that power for you." Mairne stated.
"When I designed the Shihakusho I made them to mold to the Shinigami and change with them, meaning that as your powers manifested they would change with you. They were made only to cloak you." Senjumaru said. "Yet here I have woven the metal with Oken and weaved it by my own hands and spiritual power. This armor is designed to take all that spiritual energy you exert and have it channeled through your entire body. No wasted energy, your full power from the get go."
Many looked on in clear shock, what they were saying was that they were giving them tools that would allow them to harness more of their power and also give them the means to control it. This would increase their level of power by leaps and bounds, making them on par or close to fighting in the league of Captains and Lieutenants.
Definitely near the level needed to face off against a Sternritter and likely win, this was incredible.
"But remember, experience and training will take you only so far, harnessing this power is important. While you will gain powers that can raise you above your station, experience and control is important, otherwise you risk being killed by being overconfident." Mairne warned. "While wearing the armor your powers will be channeled, it still needs to be regulated by you, without you feeding the armor you will still be at a disadvantage. If you waver and overextend yourself you will fall."
The Seated Officers took the warning in stride; the prospect of becoming more powerful often inflated the ego as well. That would need to be squashed as quickly as possible unless you risk the efforts of empowering these people going to waste. Luckily they would be entering a place where that pride will be tested and hopefully replaced with humility.
"That's right, do not get too egotistical about this, you are still seated officers and not rookies that need to have their asses kicked to remind them of their place." Kyoraku said, looking at them with a furrowed brow.
Power tended to get people a little riled up and makes them do stupid thing, even he was not above it even after all these centuries. So the fact that these guys are about to get a massive power boost likely will result in them going a little off the deep end to prove themselves.
"Where do we start?" Mari Chie asked.
"Your Zanpakuto will be altered with the spiritual objects you have collected. While this process is being completed Senjumaru will measure you and forge you your armor." Mairne said. "From there you will be given some time to learn about your new powers, and then you will be deployed in your first operation against the Wandenreich Empire."
Some surprise lit up on their faces, they were going to be leaving so soon? Just like that they would be going into the breach and fighting against the Quincy as soon as they got their new powers. Seemed a little dangerous.
"Where are we going?" Souta asked.
He had been back for only a day and these guys were planning on striking at the Wandenreich so soon, they must have a plan. But he had to wonder where they were going to strike, he did not know if they knew the location of the enemy headquarters. So what could they strike against that would be worth dedicating their forces to?
"You will be going to Hueco Mundo, reports show that fourteen Sternritter are present there hunting down the Arrancar. We will rally them and lead an assault against the Quincy." Kyoraku stated.
Shocked seemed to pass through the Shinigami, what was being said went against almost everything they knew. Their Captain-Commander had basically said to them they would ally with the Hollows created by the traitor Sosuke Aizen to fight against the Quincy. That was like asking the lion to help the antelope that was being attacked by a wolf, it went against who they were as Shinigami.
"That's insane!" Link said. "You want us to fight alongside those animals?"
"You will be part of a task force that will assault Los Noche, now under Quincy control, and you will aid the Arrancar in recapturing Hueco Mundo from them." Mairne stated.
"I am not talking to you!" Link yelled, before turning to his Captain. "Sir, is it not better we allow them to fight one another, kill each other. Why should we risk our lives for those things, they are not worth saving."
Kyoraku did not openly react to the defiant stand; it was actually quite natural that they would be unwilling to aid their enemy in defeating the Quincy. But they had no choice, they had to fight and make a dent in the Quincy war machine as much as possible.
The Gotei had a standing force now of just scraping past two thousand and the enemy were still near the fifty five hundred ranges. Meaning they were nearly two or three times larger than their standing force. That was something he did not like, an enemy that had twice as many forces as them.
If they did not move to make a dent in the enemies numbers, no matter if it was futile or not, they had to do it. If they could kill those Sternritters than they could weaken the Wandenreich further. Even if they could replace them it would leave inexperienced Sternritters in the place of the ones that likely have years under their belt.
"I am not asking you to do this for the Arrancar, I am telling you to do this for the Gotei. The Quincy just waltzed right in and pissed on our turf while littering it with the bodies of our people." Kyoraku said. "Now they think they can take the Arrancar and use them in their little vanguard against us, I don't intend to allow them the satisfaction of such a thing."
"I want you all to suck it up, because this war is not going to be won by hating those who use to be our enemies." Kyoraku continued. "We let our hate guide us and the Quincy will use it against us, just like they did with the Fleet. Who now have given us the tools we need to fight them, so if I have to work with our enemies to defeat our true enemy, than I am ordering you to go to Hueco Mundo and work with the Arrancar to defeat the Quincy."
"But sir…" Oak tried to speak, but a hand on her shoulder stopped her, she looked back to see Daichi standing there.
"There is no point in speaking, if we must do this we will follow through with your orders Captain-Commander." Daichi said, bowing his head.
"That is good to hear, I don't expect any of you to like this, but in these times you cannot hope to win this war with ideals and past grudges." Kyoraku stated. "We need to work together now, more than ever; any dissent and we will crumble."
No other complaint was given, yet he could sense their disquiet about what was going to be done. Their allegiance to the Gotei was unshakable, but their doubts in following the orders of their new leader did make them hesitant.
"This is going to be a problem later on, I know it." Kyoraku thought aloud.
These guys were too rigid in their ways to simply accept this, the Captains he could reason with and bring to his side because he knew how to rally them. But the Gotei was an entirely different force he needed to bring to heel and made to listen and understand.
"We can only hope that in time that view changes." Mairne replied.
"It is not that I am worried about, it is making sure that they will listen to me when the time comes for me to order them to battle." Kyoraku replied.
There you have it, hope you like the chapter.
Reviews: A little light this time around.
Shadowwolf1997: Thanks, hope you like this chapter as much as those to follow.