Echoes Beyond Death

Three months had flown by in a blur of training, studying, and relentless repetition. With my Ethereal Interface boosting my progress, I rose to the top of every class—combat, kidō, tactics. If someone kept score, I'd already be breaking records.

With every day, my skills with the sword sharpened. Thanks to Perfect Sword Mastery and the 100x training effect, I had become a near-unstoppable force. I studied every technique, refined every move, until I could dismantle opponents before they could even think.

Finally, I reached a milestone today. After weeks of training, I felt something shift with me. A connection. And as I focused my Reiryoku, it solidified into a true blade—a Zanpakutō. 

As I gripped the hilt of my newly formed Zanpakutō, a strange sensation washed over me, and the world around me faded. Suddenly, I found myself in a place like no other—a vast, desolate landscape, shrouded in mist and eerie silence.

Ahead, I saw a figure, his form bound in thick, iron chains that crisscrossed over his body. Swords pierced him from every angle—through his shoulders, his chest, even his legs—as if each one anchored him to his realm. His face was shrouded in shadow, but his eyes glinted with a fierce, unbreakable will.

We locked eyes for a long moment, an unspoken challenge simmering between us. Then in a voice that seemed to echo from the depths of his being he spoke.

"Welcome," he said, his tone as cold and steady as steel. "I am Takemikazuchi, the one who wields both binding and fury. You've come to awaken me, haven't you?

I nodded, sensing the power behind his words, and he continued.

"Then prove yourself worthy," he intoned, his chained form radiating an intensity that was both daunting and thrilling . "Wield me with purpose, and I will grant you power that can shatter the boundaries of this world."

I felt the weight of his words settle within me, like a pact forged in silence. This wasn't just any blade—this was a partner, a being with his own will and strength, someone I would have to prove myself to again and again.

And with that, the mist faded, and I found myself back in the academy holding my Zanpakutō with a new understanding of what I held in my hands.

Later in the Training Grounds

I barely had a moment to process the encounter with Takemikazuchi when a voice broke into my thoughts.

"Hey! I've seen you showing off in class every day. You think you're something special?

I turned to see Rukia Kuchiki standing there, arms crossed, her gaze challenging.

"Oh? Is that a challenge?" I smirked, feeling the thrill of something new.

Rukia's glare intensified. "Don't get cocky. Meet me in the training grounds, Let's see if you're all talk."

Without waiting for an answer, she turned and strode away. I chuckled to myself, finally feeling like I'd break the monotony of studying and training.

The academy training grounds buzzed with energy as we took our stances, and students crowded around us, murmuring with anticipation. Rukia raised her sword, her posture poised and ready.

"Don't think I'll go easy on you just because you're top of the class," She said, a slight smirk of her own appearing.

"Wouldn't dream of it." I kept my tone light, barely lifting my own blade.

With a sharp intake of breath, Rukia dashed forward, her blade swinging in a swift, precise arc. But her movements were easy to read, each strike predictable. I sidestepped, letting her blade cut through air, my own sword barely moving.

Rukia's brow furrowed, her attacks becoming more forceful as she picked up speed. But I kept dodging, studying her movements, letting her frustration build.

"Stop dodging and fight!" she yelled her voice filled with irritation.

I sighed, unsheathing my Zanpakutō in one fluid motion. In an instant, I closed the distance between us, appearing right in front of her. She barely had time to react before I held my blade at throat, ending the fight with a single, decisive move.

The training grounds fell silent, students stunned at the abrupt end. Rukia looked at me, lowering her sword with a begrudging respect in her eyes, though her pride was clearly stung.

"Not bad," she muttered, narrowing her eyes. "But don't think you'll always have the upper hand."

I sheathed my Zanpakutō, the weight of Takemikazuchi a reminder of just how far I'd come and how far I still had to go.

"Looking forward to the next round," I replied, turning to leave, feeling the thrill of victory and the promise of power that still lay ahead.

...

Hey guys I hope you like this chapter. I haven't watched a lot of Bleach so I don't really know how the mechanics work and many other things. Please give me feedback if you can and don't forget to leave powerstones. I want your opinion if I should add smut or not.