Azashiro's Zanpakuto, Urozakuro, has a Bankai that allows his Reiatsu to infiltrate and manipulate objects. Unlike ordinary Zanpakuto, Urozakuro is unique in that it can maintain its Bankai state permanently.
In other words, once Azashiro achieves Bankai, he can remain in that state indefinitely.
Of course, there are trade-offs.
Maintaining a constant Bankai state means Azashiro's Reiatsu must continuously synchronize with the external Reiatsu infused into other objects, leaving no excess Reiatsu to reinforce his physical body.
As a result, over the past two hundred years, Azashiro's physical condition has deteriorated to the point where it is no different from that of an ordinary Shinigami.
No, to be precise, his body, deprived of spiritual reinforcement for so long, has weakened to the level of an ordinary soul.
Kyoya's Zanpakuto, in essence, originates from the [One Piece Achievement System] within him, which granted him the Pika Pika no Mi from the One Piece World.
In the One Piece World, Devil Fruit Users can wield their abilities as long as they have stamina.
Seawater and Seastone only weaken the users, rendering them unable to activate their Devil Fruit's powers… not negating the powers themselves.
Otherwise, Kuzan wouldn't be able to freeze the ocean with his ice abilities.
Of course, one could argue that frozen seawater becomes 'ice' rather than 'seawater', thus losing its inherent property of countering Devil Fruit Users.
In a way, Kyoya is similar to Azashiro, capable of maintaining a perpetual Bankai state.
Moreover, Kyoya doesn't suffer from the same weakness as Shinya's Zanpakuto, Urozakuro.
After all, the Pika Pika Nomi is just one of Kyoya's abilities.
Whether it's his Buccaneer bloodline or his Steel Balloon Physique, both grant him a physical strength far surpassing that of Shinigami in the Bleach World.
Previously, Kyoya had also achieved Bankai, but he later released it, allowing his Zanpakuto to revert to its sealed Asauchi form.
However, from Azashiro's perception, eight days ago, after Kyoya completed his Bankai and returned to the 11th Division's Captain's quarters for a week of seclusion, his Zanpakuto seemingly vanished upon his emergence.
Because Kyoya suppresses his Reiatsu, Azashiro couldn't determine Kyoya's current state.
Now, with Hiyori raising this question, it's no surprise Azashiro would eavesdrop.
"My Zanpakuto..."
Kyoya smiled, "Actually, my Zanpakuto has always been here… you just can't see it."
This line is something Kyoraku would use a century later to describe Azashiro's Zanpakuto.
Everyone knew Azashiro possessed a Zanpakuto, after all, when the Azashiro Clan faced judgment from the Central 46 and was sentenced to execution, Azashiro's Zanpakuto awakened upon his sister's death, allowing him to slay the Hollow and survive the trial.
However, due to the unique nature of his Zanpakuto, no one could see it.
Hearing Kyoya say this, one wonders what Azashiro would feel a century later when he emerges from Muken and hears Kyoraku utter the same words.
For Kyoya, whether to maintain Bankai or not depends solely on whether he wishes to remain in peak condition.
During normal training, lower Reiatsu and gravity-based training equipment yield better results.
But currently, Kyoya is focusing on merging Observation Haki with his Pika Pika no Mi's abilities. Maintaining a perpetual 'light-sensing' state is an excellent way to train.
Thus, even if it means sacrificing some physical reinforcement, Kyoya prioritizes maintaining Bankai to accelerate the fusion of Haki and his Devil Fruit's powers.
"Oh?"
Hiyori stepped forward, waving her hand through the empty space at Kyoya's waist. "How is this just 'invisible'? I can't even touch it!"
That said, she didn't press further.
After all, a Shinigami's Zanpakuto's abilities are their trump card.
Concealing one's abilities could provide a tactical advantage in future battles.
Fighting an opponent whose abilities are known versus an enemy with unknown powers creates entirely different mindsets.
Against the former, even if outmatched, one can devise countermeasures.
Against the latter, caution is paramount to avoid falling victim to the enemy's hidden techniques.
As they chatted idly, Kyoya and Hiyori made their way back to the 11th Division.
"Fourth seat Ichinose."
"Captain Kyoya."
With his heightened perception, Kyoya led Hiyori directly to Makoto Ichinose's location.
"This is our new recruit… formerly the Lieutenant of the 12th Division. Please assist her with the transfer paperwork."
"By the way, after you finish her application, notify everyone that we'll hold a meeting in three days."
"Yes, Captain Kyoya."
Ichinose responded solemnly before turning to Hiyori, "Sarugaki-san, please follow me."
Hiyori glanced at Kyoya, who understood her lack of security at the moment and nodded reassuringly. "Go ahead. Ichinose is the fourth seat of our division, but in reality, he handles all the duties of a Lieutenant."
Kyoya couldn't help but feel a bit guilty toward Ichinose.
Before Kyoya became the Captain of the 11th Division, Ichinose had been its Lieutenant.
However, he had initially struggled to accept Kyoya's defeat of Kiganjo and refused to serve under him. Later, even after learning that Kyoya had defeated Kiganjo fairly, Kyoya had already brought in Gin.
When Gin served as Lieutenant, he performed his duties flawlessly.
After Gin left, Zaraki arrived, and the position of Lieutenant fell to him.
But expecting Zaraki to handle Lieutenant's administrative work was just asking for trouble.
Next in line was the Third Seat, Yachiru, who spent her days cheering Zaraki on and finding opponents for him, completely neglecting division affairs.
Thus, after many years, Makoto Ichinose once again took up the duties of the 11th Division.
Receiving a fourth seat's salary, performing a Lieutenant's duties, and worrying like a Captain… no one in the entire Gotei 13 was in quite the same position as Ichinose.
After watching Ichinose lead Hiyori away, Kyoya headed to the Captain's office.
Now that Hiyori had been recruited, he might as well finalize Rangiku's position as well.
With that settled, he could begin his sweeping reforms for the 11th Division.
"Captain Kyoya, you summoned me?"
Ichinose knelt outside the Captain's office door, awaiting orders.
"Yes."
Kyoya stood and stepped out, with Ichinose rising quickly to follow.
"Ichinose, have you finished compiling the data I asked for?"
"Yes, Captain Kyoya."
Ichinose straightened, "Our 11th Division currently has 973 members. Of these, 729 are from Rukongai, while 244 hail from Seireitei."
"Over 700, huh?"
Kyoya nodded slightly. This number did not exceed his expectations.
Shinigami didn't have the best reputation in Rukongai.
Especially since, every year, anywhere from dozens to over a hundred souls from Rukongai entered Seireitei hoping to become Shinigami.
Yet, over countless years, the number of those who ever returned to Rukongai could be counted on one hand.
On one hand, Shinigami, with their heightened Reiatsu, enjoyed vastly extended lifespans… decades or even a century were merely a fraction of their lives.
But for ordinary souls in Rukongai, their lifespans remained unchanged from their human lives, with sixty or seventy years being their natural limit.
On the other hand, most souls in Rukongai lacked significant talent. Only a minority could pass the Shin'o Academy's graduation exams.
The majority were assigned to the Hueco Mundo Expeditionary Force, with almost no chance of returning to Soul Society.
Naturally, those who knew them in Rukongai never saw them again.
Some divisions in the Gotei 13 were controlled by noble families.
For commoner Shinigami in these divisions, their upward mobility was effectively capped.
The 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 10th, and 12th Divisions, which were led by Captains who rose from Rukongai, were known as the 'commoner divisions'.
This was why most academy graduates from Rukongai chose to join these divisions.
"Alright, Ichinose. Inform the division that everyone should wrap up their current missions. In one week, the entire division is to assemble in the training grounds. I'll be implementing some adjustments to the 11th Division's structure and possibly expanding our duties. Make sure everyone is mentally prepared."
Ichinose's heart skipped a beat.
The Gotei 13's duties had been established a thousand years ago at its founding.
For example, the 1st Division is the head division, responsible for overseeing the entire Gotei 13.
The 2nd Division is a covert mobile force whose duties include intelligence gathering, assassination, and infiltration.
The 11th Division is the combat division, dedicated solely to battle, the strongest fighting force in the Gotei 13.
Each division has its own distinct duties, and as long as they fulfill their roles without interference, the stability of Seireitei is maintained.
Now, if Kyoya intends to expand the 11th Division's responsibilities, any overlap with other divisions could cause significant upheaval in Seireitei.
However, as the fourth seat of the 11th Division, Ichinose would never defy Kyoya's orders.
As for the potential chaos in Seireitei...
Sorry, he is just a small-time fourth seat. If the sky falls, the taller ones can hold it up… he's just a shrimp who can't shoulder such weight.
So, all he had to do was complete the task Kyoya had assigned him.
These thoughts flashed through Ichinose's mind before he nodded and replied:
"Understood, Captain Kyoya."
"I will ensure your orders are relayed as soon as possible."
…
There are no walls without cracks.
Especially in the Seireitei, which had already been infiltrated by countless forces to the point of being riddled like a sieve.
The ruler of Hueco Mundo, Aizen was the most deeply hidden among them… his Kyoka Suigetsu had hypnotized nearly every Shinigami in the Gotei 13.
Meanwhile, Azashiro, who sought to eradicate Hollows from their very roots, had fused his Reiatsu with the fabric of the Soul Society, allowing him to monitor the entirety of the Soul Society. If he wished, nothing in the Soul Society could be hidden from him.
The Quincy of the Wandenreich, the invisible empire, resided within the shadows of the Seireitei itself. Every piece of intelligence regarding the Shinigami in the Seireitei was already in the hands of the Wandenreich's Quincy.
Not to mention, once Yhwach was revived, his power, [The Almighty] would allow him to perceive all things in existence.
Even Ichibei's attempt to alter Yhwach's name had no effect on him.
Of course, the recent movements of the 11th Division weren't particularly significant to these individuals.
However, the rumors spreading from the 11th Division had still caused quite a stir within the Seireitei.
It couldn't be helped… just days ago, the Gotei 13 had lost six captains. Now, Kyoya was seeking to expand his 11th Division's responsibilities, so it was hard not to connect the two events.
"Troubled times indeed..."
In the 8th Division, Shunsui Kyoraku let out a sigh as he made his way toward the 1st Division.
Yamamoto had summoned him, so he had no choice but to go.
Of course, Kyoraku could guess why Yamamoto had called for him.
As he walked, he encountered no obstacles at the 1st Division and went straight to the Captain-Commander's office.
As Yamamoto's disciple, Kyoraku was being groomed to be his successor.
If nothing unexpected happened, once Yamamoto stepped down, the position of Captain-Commander would fall to Kyoraku.
The Shinigami of the 1st Division had already sensed this, so none dared to stop him.
"You've arrived."
Yamamoto opened his eyes and looked at Kyoraku: "How's the investigation going?"
"My apologies, Genryusai-sensei."
Kyoraku pulled his straw hat slightly lower: " Though I still have some doubts about Captain Kyoya, I've found no evidence linking him to the Hollowfication experiments."
Kyoraku felt that this entire incident was far too coincidental!
Just as Yamamoto had begun paying attention to the unexplained deaths and disappearances of Shinigami, he had detected two instances of Hollow presence within the Seireitei.
Moreover, the mastermind behind this seemed to have anticipated his every move, turning the situation around and dealing the Gotei 13 an unprecedented blow.
At this point, Kyoraku no longer suspected that Captains like Otoribashi and Shinji were the ones responsible for the deaths of the Shinigami.
Even with solid evidence, he doubted whether Kisuke was truly the only culprit… or if there was another, unnoticed culprit hiding in the shadows...