Initial Release: The Stealing

Since that day when Asuka accidentally unleashed Asauchi's true name, she has never tried to fully release that power again.

Firstly, because I have been training in Hayama for the past two years, there has been no suitable occasion to use it. At most, I have only studied some special sword moves that utilize shallow strikes, such as the thrusting technique [tooth thrust].

Furthermore, he intentionally avoids using this power.

Asauchi, also known as the Zanpakuto.

It is crafted from souls by artisans in Soul Society and can connect with the user's mind, drawing out the user's true power.

By knowing the true name of a Zanpakuto, the user can unleash their own unique abilities, making it a one-of-a-kind weapon.

Asuka had a vague understanding of asauchi in his memories, but he knew very well that it was impossible for a homeless child from Rukongai to own an asauchi of his own.

Without a doubt, this asagi must have been given to him by the man named Aizen; he was an experiment subject who, like Aizen, was exiled.

With this in mind, Asuka felt somewhat resistant to Zanpakuto and would generally avoid using it unless absolutely necessary, except in critical situations where she would use the Asakachi form.

But that won't work now. The demon on the other side is too strong, too strong for my Wind Breathing technique to defeat.

While the well-oiled wheel continued its incessant chatter, his mind slowly sank into the spiritual world, searching aimlessly and anxiously for the true self deep within his soul...

Consciousness sank, as if falling into a bottomless abyss. When Fei Niao opened her eyes again, her heart sank.

This place is not empty; beneath your feet lie cracked and hardened desolate streets, and in the air is a suffocating, leaden-gray smog.

Soul Society, Ward 78, Dog's Lair.

The endless cold and hunger seemed to penetrate the barriers of reality, forming a dirty and dilapidated street in the bird's spiritual world, which he could wander freely.

A low, threatening growl rang out, drawing Asuka's attention.

A few steps away, a thin, ragged little boy was standing there.

Beneath her disheveled, straw-like hair, a pair of eyes burned with the ferocity of a hungry wolf cub, staring intently at him.

Beside the boy, a similarly lean raccoon lay prone.

Its fur was dull and lifeless, and its ribs were clearly visible beneath the skin. Only its beastly eyes gleamed with a pure and cruel wild light.

They are clearly a human and a beast, yet they look so alike.

Why?

The raccoon didn't open its mouth, but the birds could hear its guttural growls, hoarse and chilling.

Why fight for people who are unrelated to us?

Why provoke a monster you can't beat?

Why didn't you run away?

The sound struck the bird's soul again and again, and the raccoon's figure drew ever closer.

【Bird, have you forgotten? Have you forgotten the lessons of survival we learned through blood, sweat, and pain?】

Don't forget, we are family!

As for the thin boy, he didn't speak, but his fierce eyes were fixed on the bird, filled with the same anger and confusion.

The bird watched silently as the raccoon wolf approached, and finally spoke:

"...They saved me, taught me...and accepted me. At the very least, I have to avenge them..."

【madness!】

The raccoon suddenly stood up, its hind legs tensed, and in a blurry flash, it pounced on the bird!

Your heart has softened, bird!

[Survive! Remember? We made a promise—no matter how miserable or difficult things get, we'll survive!]

What are you doing now? Working yourself to the bone for others? Have you forgotten how you crawled like a maggot in a garbage dump?!

The sharp claws, carrying a soul-tearing malice, viciously clawed at the bird's face!

The bird's movements slowed down considerably here, and the raccoon tore a wound on his cheek. He rolled backward in a sorry state, and his soul instantly felt a sharp, tearing pain!

But the raccoon was still not satisfied and kept pouncing on him.

Every claw strike and bite was accompanied by a desire to devour his existence.

Asuka knew that it was the Zanpakuto's angry punishment for his cowardly act and his betrayal of his own survival principles.

The gray-black claw-like wind tore open illusory wounds on his spiritual body, yet the pain felt incredibly real.

Fight back! Defeat me! Rob me like you always have!

The raccoon was clearly getting anxious, opening its mouth full of sharp teeth and roaring angrily.

But the bird still did not retaliate.

"I haven't forgotten, and I haven't changed."

"I will never forget those pains and hunger, the chill of death caressing my soul... It makes me grateful for everything I have now!"

"This is not weakness; it's just that I've found a reason to fight with my sword, besides merely prolonging my life!"

"Help me! Help me defeat this monster!"

The two are one, so there is no point in them fighting each other. He must make his Zanpakuto acknowledge his will.

Only in this way can we truly understand each other and be of one's own use.

Just as the raccoon's sharp teeth were about to pierce the bird's throat, the little boy in the distance finally spoke:

"Enough! This is robbery!"

He casually stretched out his hand, and his small body seemed to be able to traverse space, directly grabbing the raccoon by the scruff of its neck.

The ferocious beast, which had been so aggressive just moments before, instantly became docile after being grabbed by the little boy, whimpering and begging for mercy as he was dragged to his side.

The little boy looked up, his gaze meeting the distant bird's, and his voice entered the bird's mind directly:

"I understand your determination..."

"Asuka, now that you've decided to fight for others, as your family, we will fight alongside you..."

"And... we can't let this guy get away!"

The little boy's voice rose, carrying a frenzied cruelty:

"That thing killed someone and stole their things... so let's kill him! Let's swallow everything he stole, with interest!"

"Let him taste the bitterness of being plundered and utterly annihilated! Whether they are demons or the Grim Reaper, we cannot let them go!"

Sensing the violent killing intent, the raccoon beside him suddenly raised its head and let out a greedy howl:

【Awooo—!!】

The little boy's voice grew louder and louder, resonating in the bird's mind like a booming bell, constantly impacting his spiritual world.

The entire Xu Diao area of ​​the soul world began to tremble, as if it would collapse at any moment!

[You must survive! Asuka! Survive at all costs!]

Look straight ahead! Don't be weak!

Plunder! Tear apart!

Summon my name—!!

Reality, Osaki Hachiman Shrine.

After Lulu finished giving his suggestions at length, he didn't receive a reply from Feiniao.

Instead, after the opponent sheathed their Nichirin Blade, their aura grew increasingly dangerous...

He's already planning to run away.

Asuka's five fingers transformed into claws, gripping the damaged asagi tightly. The gray-black aura around his body grew stronger and stronger until it solidified into a tangible form. Even Rokuro opposite him stared in disbelief at the surging spiritual pressure on his body!

"—Chew it up and swallow it!"

"Robbery!!"

Om-!

The dark gray spiritual pressure erupted like volcanic lava that had been suppressed for thousands of years!

A violent shockwave erupted from the bird in flight, bursting outwards in all directions!

The blood-soaked stone bricks beneath their feet were instantly shattered, lifted up, and turned into dust!

The shrine's dilapidated pillars were shaken and cracked, with wood chips falling like a torrential rain!

The badly damaged shallow weapon began to mutate in front of Lulu's shocked gaze, rapidly shedding its rust and expanding!

In the blink of an eye, it transformed into a large, gray-black serrated sword, over five feet long, with a ferocious and menacing design!

The blade was slightly curved, with a savage arc that seemed ready to tear everything apart at any moment. The serrations on the blade gleamed in the moonlight, like the terrifying jaws of an ancient beast!

"What is this thing?! Who are you?!"

The composure on Lulu's face vanished completely. The aura emanating from this knife was far too dangerous; if he were to be struck... he would die!

The response he received was the movement of a bird.

He only saw a gray-black afterimage flash by, and then felt a chill on his sleeve...

puff--!!

The severed arm flew high into the air!