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"Is this… the power of that blade?" Shyarly exclaimed, watching Tōshirō Hitsugaya effortlessly freeze over ten Menos Grandes with his ice dragon. She turned to Ikki, her eyes wide with surprise. In the information-limited Fish-Man Island, Shyarly hadn't fully grasped Ikki's capabilities, and the might of Hyōrinmaru left her stunned.
"Indeed, that is its power," Ikki said, patting Shyarly's arm with a smile. "Hyōrinmaru is renowned as the strongest ice-type Zanpakutō.
If you can master it completely, it's no exaggeration to say that you'll control all the water in the world. You can freely transform moisture into ice to attack your enemies, making it seem as if they are fighting against the very elements."
"'Tenso Jūrin' is a manifestation of this power," he continued. "Of course, controlling natural phenomena becomes more challenging if you haven't proficiently mastered this sword."
Shyarly's beautiful eyes widened as she looked at Ikki, then back at Tōshirō, who was still engaged in combat. As soon as one group of Menos Grandes vanished, more appeared, only to be instantly frozen by Tōshirō's rapid attacks.
He unleashed various ice-based techniques, including 'Sennen Hyōrō,' 'Ryūsenka,' and 'Rokkakuhyōketsu.'
"The strongest ice-type Zanpakutō," Vivi mused, shaking her head with a sigh. "The way he fights, he truly controls ice with remarkable freedom. My Sode no Shirayuki does seem to be inferior compared to Hyōrinmaru."
Although Tōshirō hadn't yet demonstrated Hyōrinmaru's Bankai, his Shikai and its ice-manipulating abilities were clearly practical and potent.
"That said, Sode no Shirayuki is still excellent," Ikki reassured Vivi, patting her shoulder. "Even in its Shikai state, Sode no Shirayuki can exert considerable power due to its absolute zero temperature.
Ultimately, a blade's strength depends on its wielder. If the master is strong enough, even a less exceptional weapon can display transcendent power. Besides, Sode no Shirayuki is far from bad, wouldn't you agree?"
Vivi's face brightened, and she flashed a wide smile.
"Keep watching, especially you, Shyarly," Ikki instructed, his thoughts prompting the system to further demonstrate Hyōrinmaru's power. "Pay close attention; this is Hyōrinmaru's power taking another step forward."
Suddenly, the Menos Grandes frozen by Tōshirō shattered completely. In the next moment, a voluptuous woman wielding a water-controlling blade appeared before Tōshirō. With a mere flick of her hand, she unleashed a torrent of water that struck him.
"That's Tier Harribel," Ikki explained to his companions, "using a weapon that manipulates water flow. She fought against Tōshirō and was ultimately defeated by him."
As he spoke, a massive wave of Reiatsu erupted from Tōshirō, instantly shattering the sharp blades of water attacking him.
"Bankai!" Tōshirō roared, "Daiguren Hyōrinmaru!"
A sharp shout echoed as Reiatsu around Tōshirō transformed into cold ice and dispersed. His form was enveloped by an icy surge. Seconds later, as the ice collapsed, Tōshirō reappeared before Ikki, Shyarly, and the others, in a new form.
A large ice dragon formed from cold air coiled behind him, and a pair of giant ice wings sprouted from his back, adorned with three ice crystals. Just by looking at him, Shyarly and the others could feel the biting cold.
"Sennen Hyōrō!" Tōshirō declared, pointing his long sword skyward. Immediately, massive icicles encircled his enemy, trapping them in an ice cage.
"This is the power of Hyōrinmaru's Bankai," Ikki explained, his gaze fixed on Tōshirō's performance. "The ice dragon behind Tōshirō appears because he hasn't fully mastered Hyōrinmaru's power yet; it's a result of significant cold air leakage.
The three ice crystals on his back also signify his incomplete mastery of Bankai. Once these three ice crystals vanish, Hyōrinmaru's full power will be unleashed. Of course, if one's own strength is insufficient, Hyōrinmaru's fully revealed power can also harm the wielder."
As Ikki spoke, Tōshirō continuously controlled the ice, continuing his battle with Tier Harribel. In his Bankai state, Tōshirō was significantly stronger than in his Shikai state, both in speed and ice control.
"Is this kind of power… still incomplete?" Kalifa sighed. "This ability to manipulate all moisture in the air to create ice could even be considered an awakening of the Hie Hie no Mi. The ice controlled by Aokiji isn't as dangerous as the ice power displayed by this sword."
"Haha, it seems that both Sode no Shirayuki and Hyōrinmaru's power are stronger than Ice Ice Fruit," Nico Robin said, raising her hand to her mouth with a sly smile. "I'd love to see what Admiral Aokiji looks like when he fights Vivi or Shyarly."
"Robin, you're so mischievous!" Vivi exclaimed, spreading her hands and looking helplessly at her sometimes-sinister companion. "I don't want to fight Admiral Aokiji."
"Marine Admiral Aokiji, the top Marine rumored to control ice," Shyarly murmured, her lips pressed together as she watched Tōshirō's battle. "With this sword, can I possess his power? If I had such power, I could protect Fish-Man Island."
Jinbei's arrest had deeply worried the residents of Fish-Man Island who knew the details, and Shyarly was among them. Although she didn't show it outwardly, she was indeed concerned about the future of Fish-Man Island. Joining the Explorers and becoming Ikki's partner, who could change Fish-Man Island's future, was her way of seeking protection for her home.
"Hyōrinmaru's power is definitely greater than the Hie Hie no Mi," Ikki stated. "In other words, once you fully master the power of this blade, Aokiji will be no match for you. Perhaps, with Hyōrinmaru controlling ice, Aokiji's Hie Hie no Mi's power would be significantly limited."
As if to confirm his words, Tōshirō raised his sword and pointed it at the sky. Instantly, the entire sky was covered with dark clouds. Then, snowflakes descended from the sky and fell upon Tier Harribel. Incredibly, as the delicate snowflakes touched Tier Harribel, a tremendous chill erupted.
Powerful, massive ice flowers formed, covering parts of her body. Before she could destroy the ice, the seemingly endless snowflakes continued to fall, completely encasing Tier Harribel's body within seconds. She completely lost all signs of life.
"This technique is called 'Hyōten Hyakkasō'," Ikki explained. "It's one of Tōshirō's most powerful moves developed using Hyōrinmaru. Shyarly, after you master Hyōrinmaru's Bankai, you can also try to develop such a move. Of course, I will help you."
"Can I really master such power?" Shyarly swallowed, suddenly feeling a surge of self-doubt. Tōshirō's performance was so formidable that she felt it would be difficult to reach his level. Though she didn't know the full extent of Admiral Aokiji's power, Shyarly felt that the power to control celestial phenomena and unleash ice, as demonstrated in 'Hyōten Hyakkasō,' was no weaker than Aokiji's abilities.
"Don't worry, Shyarly," Vivi said, walking over to comfort her. "As long as you're a partner recognized by Ikki, as long as you work hard enough, and as long as you desire to become stronger, you will definitely become a powerful warrior. The fitness equipment in the gym isn't just for decoration!" As fellow users of ice-type Zanpakutō, Vivi felt an inexplicable fondness for Shyarly.
"Well, I have a question," Perona interjected, raising her hand. As everyone looked at her, Perona continued, "Aren't gym equipment designed for normal human body standards? Shyarly is a mermaid, right? Her lower body is a fishtail.
How can she use that fitness equipment? There are some exercises for leg muscles; how would Shyarly use them? It's impossible to make her exercise her fishtail, right?"
As Perona spoke, everyone couldn't help but picture Shyarly exercising, and inexplicably, several people wore strange smiles.
"Besides, Shyarly is so tall, almost 5 meters!" Perona said, crossing her arms with a self-satisfied look. "Even if you're tall enough, some exercise equipment might still be difficult for her to use."
"You are indeed clever, Perona," Ikki said, grabbing Perona and gently rubbing her head with his right hand. "However, my gym can be modified according to my wishes. It doesn't prevent tall people from exercising. Moreover, what's wrong with a fishtail? Just because legs can be exercised doesn't mean a fishtail can't use those fitness machines. And a mermaid's tail might even be more powerful than your legs!"
After a while, Ikki had completely messed up Perona's hair. Unable to beg for mercy, Perona could only shut her mouth, feigning resignation, and let him continue. Nami and the others, watching from the side, burst into laughter.
'It seems I've joined a team with a good atmosphere,' Shyarly thought, a smile gracing her face.
"Ikki, now that the demonstration is over, let's get out of here," Nico Robin suggested. "We don't possess ice-type Zanpakutō, and Shyarly probably isn't very comfortable in this illusion."
"Just a little longer," Ikki replied, releasing Perona and looking towards Tōshirō. "There are still some more demonstrations concerning Hyōrinmaru."
The next moment, Tōshirō plunged his long sword into the ground, and a massive burst of ice erupted from Hyōrinmaru, engulfing his entire body. Just as Shyarly and the others looked on in confusion, the ice encasing Tōshirō suddenly shattered, sending ice shards flying in all directions.
As they passed by Shyarly, Perona, and the others, the intense cold made them shiver involuntarily. Perona even instinctively moved closer to Ikki, who radiated warmth, almost leaning into his arms. After a period of training, Perona had become stronger, but the influence of the Zanpakutō's illusion still greatly affected her.
Ikki smiled, opening his arms to embrace Perona, and explained, "What you just saw was Tōshirō's state as he was fully mastering Hyōrinmaru's Bankai. What you're about to witness is the complete version of Hyōrinmaru's power."
Ikki's words piqued the curiosity of Nami and the others, who looked at Tōshirō. A few seconds later, as the ice surrounding Tōshirō dissipated, everyone except Ikki couldn't help but display a strange expression. The person standing in the ice was no longer Tōshirō, but an adult man who appeared to be an enlarged version of him.
"Ikki, this is...?" Shyarly blinked, looking at Ikki suspiciously.
"Hyōrinmaru is incredibly powerful; I've mentioned this before," Ikki reiterated. "Its original wielder, Tōshirō, underwent rigorous training and eventually mastered Hyōrinmaru's full power. When this power is fully utilized, Tōshirō's body subconsciously grows rapidly to adapt to it. What you just saw is what Tōshirō looks like when he fully matures. Of course, once Hyōrinmaru's power is released, he returns to his original appearance."
"Speaking of it, if you were using this power," Ikki chuckled, "I wonder if the same situation as Tōshirō would occur. By then, perhaps we'll even get to see you with legs in advance."
Shyarly blinked, completely taken aback. She had never imagined that Hyōrinmaru possessed the power to mature one's body in such a way.
"Legs?" Shyarly looked down at her fishtail. "I'm also curious about what I would look like when I'm closer to a human. I just hope Ikki doesn't think I'm ugly when you see me like that."
Hearing this, Ikki waved his hand. "How could that be? Your features are excellent. I'm truly looking forward to you becoming my model once you have legs. It's quite satisfying to think that one person could have both mermaid and human forms. It seems I'll have to help you so you can quickly master your power."