Hirako Shinji finished his Zanpakutō Meditation Training and noticed someone emerging from the woods.
"Aizen, went to gather herbs for sensei again?"
"Yeah. I found a nearly mature one last time, so I went to harvest it today," Aizen Sōsuke replied with a smile.
While the disciples were cultivating on the mountain, Nanatsuki had been gathering ingredients in the forest to refine the Spirit Converging Pill.
After learning this, Aizen Sōsuke took time from his own training to help collect medicinal herbs.
"So diligent. I can already sense my Inner World," Hirako Shinji said.
"Congratulations. Sensei said that's a sign your Inner World is close to taking shape. Once it stabilizes, you'll be able to meet your Zanpakutō," Aizen said.
"Don't tell me your Inner World has already stabilized?" Hirako asked suspiciously.
Although he could always beat Aizen in sword matches, he had the nagging feeling this guy was holding back.
"No way. I've only just started Zanpakutō Meditation. Shinji-kun, you're overestimating me. I might have slightly better Reiatsu talent, but that doesn't mean I'll connect with my Zanpakutō any faster," Aizen replied with a wry smile.
Based on their teacher's training arrangements for Aizen, Shinji had already deduced that Aizen's Reiatsu was stronger than his.
That's why Aizen often downplayed his strengths, saying he was only slightly more gifted in Reiatsu but wasn't good at anything else.
Nanatsuki came over to collect herbs and overheard their conversation, his eye twitching slightly.
Lately, he had been using his experience with Zanpakutō Meditation to help the disciples deepen their connection with their blades.
But aside from Shihoin Yoruichi, who had already unlocked her Shikai, and Kotetsu Isane, who hadn't received an Asauchi yet, there was one disciple he hadn't helped at all.
Aizen Sōsuke.
He had secretly completed his Zanpakutō Meditation!
[Aizen Sōsuke]
[Talent: SS]
[Reiatsu: |v65]
[Fame Level: Friendly]
Aizen's Reiatsu had already reached level 65!
Nanatsuki even suspected he had already unlocked Shikai.
When an Inner World takes shape and a Shinigami communicates with their Zanpakutō, their Reiatsu often skyrockets.
The first time Aizen did Zanpakutō Meditation, his Reiatsu had surged uncontrollably.
This guy was way too cautious. He had even anticipated that his Reiatsu might explode during meditation, potentially giving himself away—so he chose to do it while out "gathering herbs" alone.
Even though he hadn't entered the Shin'o Spiritual Arts Academy yet, Aizen already had an Asauchi.
From time to time, lone Shinigami die in remote corners of Rukongai. Their Asauchi can sometimes make their way into circulation.
Aizen had picked up one of these Asauchi.
Nanatsuki couldn't help but think to himself: Good thing I met him before he began Zanpakutō Meditation—otherwise, I might never have gotten to take him as a disciple.
Aizen's growth rate was terrifyingly fast.
"Aizen's right—your Inner World is almost fully formed. You'll probably complete this stage of training within a month," Nanatsuki said.
Once the Inner World stabilizes, a Shinigami can enter it and communicate with their Zanpakutō, giving them the potential to unlock Shikai.
"Sensei, could you use your power to help me connect with my Zanpakutō again?" Hirako asked eagerly.
"This is as far as I can guide you. The rest of the path is yours to walk," Nanatsuki shook his head.
In truth, he had already burned through all the Zanpakutō Meditation experience he'd stockpiled. The academy was still on break, so there were no classes from which he could earn more.
Still, Nanatsuki was quite satisfied with their progress. By the time school resumed, Azashiro Kana, Muguruma Kensei, Hirako Shinji, and Kobane Jin'emon should all have stable Inner Worlds.
As for when they'd achieve Shikai, that would depend on fate.
The speed of attaining Shikai was largely influenced by the personality of one's Zanpakutō.
If things fell apart during the conversation—like what happened with Shihoin Yoruichi in the past—it could be very hard to awaken Shikai.
"Aizen, I managed to gather the herbs so quickly thanks to your help," Nanatsuki said.
"Happy to be of service, Sensei," Aizen replied.
"From now on, focus on your training. We've got enough herbs."
With that, Nanatsuki began refining the Spirit Converging Pill.
Unlike the alchemy seen in xianxia stories, refining this pill didn't just mean tossing herbs into a cauldron.
It required multiple steps—extraction, purification, and concentration—before the ingredients could be fully processed.
The next day, Nanatsuki held a small bottle of pills.
He had completed the Spirit Converging Pills.
They didn't contain any Reiatsu on their own, but they could store Reiatsu.
Nanatsuki poured one out. Before infusing it with Reiatsu, it was a smooth, gray pill.
He began injecting his Reiatsu into the pill. The color gradually lightened—first white, then blue.
Curious to find its limit, he continued to pour in more Reiatsu.
After a while, the pill had turned deep blue.
Once it reached that point, it could no longer absorb any more Reiatsu.
The pill could hold roughly half of Nanatsuki's Reiatsu.
At this point, Nanatsuki's Reiatsu was at a vice-captain's level, so even half of it was considerable.
He swallowed the pill to test its effects.
The ingredients were cheap, after all—they could be gathered from the forest. Using a few for testing didn't hurt.
After swallowing, the pill didn't dissolve immediately.
Nanatsuki could sense it—like he now had a secondary source of Reiatsu inside his gut, providing a steady stream of power.
The effect lasted for about five or six minutes before the pill fully dissolved and vanished.
Nanatsuki was very satisfied—the Reiatsu loss was negligible!
During battle, popping one would be like carrying a portable Reiatsu power bank!
'Now my talk-no-jutsu finally has practical use! I can recover while stalling with words!' Nanatsuki thought to himself.
Nanatsuki went to call over Yoruichi and Rie. He wanted to test whether it was possible to achieve the same result using someone else's Reiatsu.
Normally, Reiatsu differs greatly from one Shinigami to another.
"Yoruichi, try injecting a little of your Reiatsu into this," Nanatsuki handed her a Spirit Converging Pill.
"Like this?" Yoruichi infused her Reiatsu.
"That's enough," Nanatsuki said, taking the pill back once it began to change color.
He swallowed it and again felt Reiatsu being released inside him.
However, Yoruichi's Reiatsu couldn't linger in his body for long—it quickly dissipated.
"Just as expected… looks like it only works with your own Reiatsu."
He handed them four pills.
"You're both full-fledged Shinigami now. You might encounter danger during future missions. These pills can store Reiatsu and help you recover it in battle. Use them the same way I just showed you."
From this day on, the Spirit Converging Pill was destined to become a standard benefit for all Katori-ryu disciples.