Rolled 6, 5, 6 = 17 (3d10)

>>3409500

Rolled 4, 3, 3 = 10 (3d10)

>>3409500
Goddamn it, wrong dice again.

Rolled 4, 7, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>3409500

Rolled 7, 7, 6 = 20 (3d10)

>>3409500

Well, alright then. I'm going to have to go get some food and eat, then I'll do the next post.

>back, writing

>>3409500
You try to clear your thoughts again, as though you were meditating again, but instead of sitting on the... you're going to call it a 'floor'... you remain on your feet.

Bouncing lightly on the balls of your feet, you feel the way your body balances and moves in just an idle motion. You move forward and backward, side to side, and in wide circles, feeling your momentum shift and focusing just on the sensation of movement.

But then what?

You have to make a conscious decision to introduce some strikes, which is the first thing to break your proverbial stride. That was a thought. As was realizing that you had a thought about it. Each punch, you still can't help but critique. Each kick feels like it needs improvement even though you know you're performing just how you'd expect yourself to under any normal circumstances.

You just... can't.

“Not easy, is it?” Kurosaki Isshin muses as you flop down on the ground. “They say the things worth doing aren't.”

“Who told you that?” you ask.

He shrugs. “My lovely wife, Ichigo's mom. She's got a lot of folksy wisdom to her... but common sense? Your mileage may vary sometimes.”

“Being a quincy kinda messes with what she considers 'sensible', I guess. But that's just another reason I fell for her.”

“You were a shinigami, right?”

He nods, leaning back and trying to find as comfortable a position as the device he's using to keep this space stable will allow him. “Not just a shinigami, the Tenth Division Captain... Shiba Isshin.”

“Related to miss Kūkaku?” you press.

“Yeah!” he laughs quietly. “Cousins, really more like siblings in practice. I hadn't seen her since before Ichigo was born... funny thing, how sometimes the most ridiculous situations can bring people back together.”

“Do you miss it?” you ask. “The Seireitei I mean?”

That earns a derisive snort. “Gods no. It's pretty sure, and I like my clan and all, but the air is so damn stuffy you know? Plus, it's not like I've had much time to get nostalgic with three kids to deal with.”
>1/2

File: 59599243_p3.jpg (256 KB, 679x1000)

256 KB JPG

>>3409782
A sudden thought occurs to you. “What was it like training to be a shinigami?”

Kurosaki Isshin shrugs. “What's it like being a high school student?”

“It feels like I really didn't have much say in that,” you admit.

He nods in agreement. “So it's pretty similar to that only with more fighting and people you know getting eaten by ghost monsters. There's actually even an academy, though I was hardly ever in it.”

“Why's that?” you ask.

“Because we noble brats tend to be pretty stupidly powerful by birth,” he explains. “Take Yoruichi for instance. She never actually went to the academy, got her seat by killing her cousin in a duel for succession.”

“That's insane!” you gasp. “Miss Yoruichi did?”

He nods thoughtfully. “Total asshole, nobody was sad to see him go even among the Shihōin. But when your clan exists specifically to catalog, seal, and guard the most powerful spiritual weapons and tools ever made? Of course she was going to be a cut above the rest.”

“But still, to kill him?”

“It was his fault for underestimating her,” Kurosaki Isshin shrugs dismissively. “He failed to realize that reiryoku and skill in the zankensoki don't care what's between your legs, but all he could see was that she was a girl ten years his junior.”

“Zankensoki?”

“Zanjutsu, hakuda, hohō, and kidō,” he clarifies. “The four basic categories of fighting techniques. Usually a Captain is supposed to excel in all four. Increasingly Riku and Yoruichi don't actually draw distinctions between them anymore... kinda freaks me out a little when I think about it.”

>Like there's no distinction between them? What do you mean?
>”Usually”? “Supposed to”? Are you implying that Captains have weaknesses?
>How did you train at this academy? Can I maybe copy some exercises?
>Other?

>>3409812
>Like there's no distinction between them? What do you mean?

>>3409812
>>Like there's no distinction between them? What do you mean?

>>3409812
>>Like there's no distinction between them? What do you mean?
Man, hearing a third party talk about Riku and Yoruichi really makes it stand out how bullshit they are.

>>3409812
>>Like there's no distinction between them? What do you mean?

>>3409812
>>Like there's no distinction between them? What do you mean?
This is an intriguing line of thought. Plus I always like hearing about how the combat system, progressively blends together. Like the Hakuda/Kido thing Yoruichi, Riku, and Soi Fon can do.

>>3409812
>>Like there's no distinction between them? What do you mean?
what worked back then won't forever. and the first step of changing what is is to ask why

>>3409812
>Like there's no distinction between them? What do you mean?

>>3410177
Bitch uses zanjutsu with her hands. literally a steel goddess, her body is harder than most zanpakuto.

>>3409812
“Like there's no difference between them?” you repeat. “What does that mean?”

“Well, Yoruichi devised a way to use her kidō skills to improve her hakuda,” he explains, “and I hear from Riku that she learned how to use zanjutsu with her bare hands. Which is just as insane as you'd think.”

“Wait, so her hands are like swords?” you ask, confused about the whole thing.

“No, that would be a guy called Baishin,” Ichigo's father informs you.

“I don't understand that,” you admit.

“Some guy who actually tried fusing himself with his zanpakuto,” he clarifies quickly. “Turns out? Bad idea.”

“So what am I supposed to learn from that?” you demand.

Kurosaki Isshin considers your question for a few seconds before responding. “I guess you may have a bit of an advantage in that you were never properly taught how to do zanjutsu, hohō, or kidō. So you don't actually know what you can and can't do.”

“So you're suggesting that I might be able to instinctively do things that actual shinigami wouldn't even consider?” you ask, starting to understand where he's going with this.

He shrugs. “Maybe. Part of why we're not supposed to give humans powers like our own is that we can't predict what you'd do with them.”

“Fair point,” you admit.

You're not sure if that gives you an idea or not, mostly because what he's said is true. You have no idea how kidō actually works, and so you don't know how to replicate what Riku and Yoruichi have apparently done. But maybe there are still a few options open to you.

>Focus like a maniac on your shikai. That's a skill Aizen may not know how to fight against, making it an advantage you can press.
>If your zanpakuto is a part of you, and zanjutsu can be used empty-handed, maybe you can use hakuda with your zanpakuto?
>Maybe Kurosaki Isshin can give you some pointers in hakuda and zanjutsu... kidō would almost certainly take too long to learn.
>Other?

>>3411915
>>If your zanpakuto is a part of you, and zanjutsu can be used empty-handed, maybe you can use hakuda with your zanpakuto?

>>3411915
>If your zanpakuto is a part of you, and zanjutsu can be used empty-handed, maybe you can use hakuda with your zanpakuto?

>>3411915
>>Maybe Kurosaki Isshin can give you some pointers in hakuda and zanjutsu... kidō would almost certainly take too long to learn.

>>3411915
>>If your zanpakuto is a part of you, and zanjutsu can be used empty-handed, maybe you can use hakuda with your zanpakuto?

>>3411915
>3d10, best of three

>>3411915
>>If your zanpakuto is a part of you, and zanjutsu can be used empty-handed, maybe you can use hakuda with your zanpakuto?

Rolled 9, 1, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>3412246

Rolled 2, 10, 8 = 20 (3d10)

>>3412246

Rolled 6, 7, 10 = 23 (3d10)

>>3412246

>>3412246
“If my zanpakuto is a part of me, and zanjutsu can be used empty-handed, can I use hakuda with my zanpakuto?” you ask, lying out your reasoning so that you can be sure Kurosaki Isshin can follow easily.

He stares at you, as though trying to decide whether that was a real question or a rhetorical one. Eventually he settles on the former. “I guess? Do you know any proper hakuda techniques?”

You shake your head. “Well, I know one I guess? Yoruichi showed me something called Taketonbo once.”

“But you know the basics of how to use basic hakuda? To enhance your blows?” he presses.

“Yeah, I do.”

“Well then, I'll teach you something to try with your sword,” he insists, raising one fist. “It's calld the Raioken, and it's a favorite of Yoruichi's.”

“Yeah?” you nod. “Alright, sounds like a good idea.”

“This is how it works,” he tells you, throwing a rapid series of punches. “This is about how fast I can punch in sequence, at least normally.”

He's a bit quicker than you are, which is impressive.

“Let's see you do it.”

You do the same, not even trying to punch faster than Kurosaki Isshin but instead you focus on doing it with proper technique.

“Not bad for a kid,” he nods. “Now try doing that, but shifting your reiatsu back and forth between your opposing muscle groups. Enhance the punch, then just as quickly enhance the return.”

You do as he instructs, and it immediately works properly. Not only are your punches stronger, they're far, far faster.

“Good job!” he laughs. “Well, I'm actually impressed!”

>What other hakuda techniques do you know? Yoruichi relies mostly on that, doesn't she?
>What zanjutsu techniques can you teach me quickly? Swords are so far out of my comfort zone.
>Try using that Raioken technique, but with a sword.
>Other?

>>3412313
>>Try using that Raioken technique, but with a sword.

>>3412313
>>Try using that Raioken technique, but with a sword.

>>3412313
>Try using that Raioken technique, but with a sword.

>>3412313
>>Try using that Raioken technique, but with a sword.

>>3412313
>>What zanjutsu techniques can you teach me quickly? Swords are so far out of my comfort zone.

>>3412313
>Try using that Raioken technique, but with a sword.

>>3412313
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 8, 2, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>3412516

Rolled 2, 1, 6 = 9 (3d10)

>>3412516

Rolled 7, 1, 6 = 14 (3d10)

>>3412516

>>3412516
You try to use the Raioken technique with a zanpakuto in your hand, but you only get two stabs in before the blade flies out of your hand and embeds itself in the wall.

“That was harder than I thought,” you admit.

Kurosaki Isshin shakes his head. “Maybe that wasn't the greatest idea.”

“But you see what I was trying to do?” you ask.

He shrugs. “Yeah, I do. And it's not the worst strategy... I just don't think you have a winner with that particular attempt at it.”

“Then what would you suggest?”

“Maybe a different hakuda technique,” he thinks aloud. “Even if it didn't work the way you want it to at least you'd have a new technique. Or you could try using basic hakuda with your sword. I'm just spitballing here though, so take that however you will.”

Using hakuda with your sword... maybe you can use your shikai to affect your own sword as well?

>Try that. Use your shikai ability on your sword.
>Ask about other useful hakuda techniques.
>Try the Raioken again. There may be something to it.
>Other?

>>3412619
>>Try that. Use your shikai ability on your sword.

>>3412619
>>Try that. Use your shikai ability on your sword.

>>3412619
>>Ask about other useful hakuda techniques.

>>3412619
>>Try that. Use your shikai ability on your sword.

>>3412619
>Try that. Use your shikai ability on your sword.

>>3412619
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 9, 3, 9 = 21 (3d10)

>>3412745

Rolled 10, 3, 4 = 17 (3d10)

>>3412745
Noel seems to have taken all the luck.

Rolled 4, 9, 9 = 22 (3d10)

>>3412745

Rolled 5, 8, 1 = 14 (3d10)

>>3412745

>>3412745
This time, your focus rests entirely on your sword. It's supposed to be a part of you, and you're supposed to be able to affect all the parts of yourself with this power of yours. And so you find yourself swinging at the walls with your sword, trying desperately to shift its tangibility. Each time the blade bounces off, or else leaves a thin scar across the strange material.

Over and over again, leaving dozens of overlapping scars, you struggle to make the change you want take place.

Then you wonder what Ichigo would think if he saw you like this, and your blade stops against the wall.

“Maybe you should sit this one out, Tatsuki.”

That's something you could hear him saying.

“It's my responsibility.”

Like it's not also yours too.

“You don't have to do this.”

Like you don't want to do it.

“I don't want you to get hurt.”

Like you wouldn't say the same thing. He's such a fucking idiot sometimes.

“I don't need you here.”

You're not sure he'd ever say that out loud, but would he think it?

When you look up, your blade is embedded in the wall.

“How the hell?”

Kurosaki Isshin laughs from his spot on the floor. “Seems like you got it... well, at least you got it enough to get your sword stuck in the wall. Real question is, can you get it out?”

You give it a hard pull, going so far as to brace yourself with your feet pressed against the wall on either side of the hilt. Eventually your hands slip and you crash to the ground.

“Man, it's in there good,” you pant, rubbing your aching back.
>3d10, best of four

Rolled 1, 1, 10 = 12 (3d10)

>>3412815

Rolled 9, 5, 6 = 20 (3d10)

>>3412815

Rolled 2, 6, 7 = 15 (3d10)

>>3412815
Now we're making progress!

Rolled 7, 3, 4 = 14 (3d10)

>>3412815

>>3412815
You got it stuck in there in the first place, so you should be able to get it un-stuck the same way. But how did you do it before?

You were thinking... about Ichigo. Specifically you were thinking about how Ichigo makes you feel sometimes with that way he's got of swaggering about, like he's the only one who can do anything about the state of your little corner of the world. And for a while you'd almost started to think he was right.

Then his aunt Riku stabbed you with a zanpakuto.

Is that it?

You grasp Tōōkenju by it... no, by her hilt... and concentrate on recapturing that same feeling when her edge was pressed against the wall. What was it precisely...

Not anger, not frustration. Nothing directed at Ichigo. But a response to your feelings of helplessness. It wasn't from fear, or anything like that. It wasn't even about protecting anyone else. You don't even want to be better than Ichigo necessarily. What you want? What you really want?

“My competitive instincts,” you realize. Not the desire to beat anyone in particular, something far deeper and more meaningful than that. Something that only a true competitor has: the simple, almost primal urge to be better than you were yesterday at something. The little voice in your head that tells you that good isn't good enough, that you can do better next time even if this time was the best you've ever done.

And the blade slides effortlessly out of the wall.

“Seems like you figured something out,” Kurosaki Isshin muses.

You nod, returning Tōōkenju to her sheath. “Yeah. Something I'd forgotten.”
>will continue tomorrow

>>3412916
>our zanpakuto is our ability and urge too git gud.
Hell yes.

>>3412916
>tfw your sword is distilled shounenry

Amazing

>>3412916
So that's what it is. Tōōkenju is your urgent drive for self-improvement, a drive that for a while you had lost sight of until Ichigo's massive improvement reminded you how it feels to not be strong enough. Really, you'll have to thank him when he comes out of jinzen.

“So what did you learn?” Kurosaki Isshin asks you.

“I learned what my zanpakuto is,” you explain.

He nods thoughtfully. “That's actually a really good thing, many shinigami never really figure that out.”

“So what's your plan now? I could walk you through another hakuda technique or two, or you can try out jinzen again.”

>I'll try jinzen again, now that I know what I'm working with.
>Maybe try teaching me a new hakuda technique.
>Other?

>>3415231
>>I'll try jinzen again, now that I know what I'm working with.

>>3415231
>I'll try jinzen again, now that I know what I'm working with.

>>3415231
>I'll try jinzen again, now that I know what I'm working with.

>>3415231
>Maybe try teaching me a new hakuda technique.

>>3415231
>I'll try jinzen again, now that I know what I'm working with.

>>3415231
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 8, 9, 8 = 25 (3d10)

>>3415333

Rolled 10, 10, 8 = 28 (3d10)

>>3415333

Rolled 9, 7, 2 = 18 (3d10)

>>3415333

>>3415344
Hot dang

File: Rejoice.gif (225 KB, 300x200)

225 KB GIF

>>3415353

>>3415333
You declare your intention to do another round of jinzen, and quickly make good on that intention.

“So you finally figured it out,” Tōōkenju greets you cheerfully upon your return to the dojo. “And I see you know a little hakuda now. Nice job out there.”

The question you have to answer now is how you want to train now that you're back in jinzen again, armed with the knowledge of what Tōōkenju is.

“So how do I train with you?” you ask. “Even knowing what you are, I don't really know what your preferences might be... martial arts can be taught a variety of ways.”

“That's fair,” Tōōkenju admits. “The way that I figure it, the best way for you to train is by doing. Just repeating the technical process as many times as it takes to do it quickly and efficiently every time.”

“But the problem is learning the technique in the first place,” you point out.

Your zanpakuto nods thoughtfully. “Another fair point. I guess what's really missing is that you don't actually have that good a feel for how to use our shikai, so when you try and apply it to another specific property you struggle to do so at first.”

>So you think I should train to further improve my skills with shifting a single property?
>I still don't quite understand. What other properties can you think of that I can affect?
>I work best with an adversary. If you want me to learn a new skill I have to fight against it.
>Other?

>>3415461
>>I work best with an adversary. If you want me to learn a new skill I have to fight against it.

>>3415461
>I still don't quite understand. What other properties can you think of that I can affect?

>>3415461
>I work best with an adversary. If you want me to learn a new skill I have to fight against it.

>>3415461
>>I work best with an adversary. If you want me to learn a new skill I have to fight against it.

>>3415461
>>I work best with an adversary. If you want me to learn a new skill I have to fight against it.

>calling it
>will write after dinner

>>3415670
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 10, 2, 6 = 18 (3d10)

>>3415696

Rolled 4, 5, 8 = 17 (3d10)

>>3415696
>>3415696

Rolled 7, 2, 5 = 14 (3d10)

>>3415696

>>3415696
“If you want me to learn something,” you sigh, lowering yourself into a fighting stance, “then you're going to have to show it to me. A lot.”

“Alright then,” she shrugs, matching your stance. “Let's try this then.”

When she attacks she leads with her left fist, jabbing to probe your guard. But when you extend your own fist to attack, having closed the distance to strike, something bizarre happens. Her left arm blurs, seeming to prove several times at once before settling on a perfect uppercut to your chin.

You stumble back, surprised by what just happened.

“What was that?” you ask.

“The trick I want you to learn next,” she informs you, drawing a sword from a rack on the wall. “Watch carefully now, be sure not to miss it.”

She charges, sword raised over her shoulder with the point aimed at your face. But at the last second you swear you see three swords. You know not to flinch, and when she passes you feel wet in three spots. One where blood dribbles from the base of your neck on the left side, one opposite on the left side, and one where blood trickles from your forehead.

You're not even sure what order those blows landed in.

“How are you doing that?” you demand.

Tōōkenju simply smiles at you. “Time.”

“Time?” you repeat.

She nods. “Time. Or rather, the rate at which it passes for various parts of my body... sped up in my arm, slowed for the rest of me. Then I toy with it going in the opposite direction to compensate.”

>That seems... risky.
>That's awesome.
>Other?

>>3415754
>>That's awesome.

>>3415754
>That's awesome.

>>3415754
>>That's awesome.

>>3415754
>That's awesome.

>>3415754
>>That's awesome.

>>3415754
>>That's awesome.

>>3415754
>>That's awesome.

>>3415754
>That's awesome.
Where better to learn time shenanigans than in the dangai while performing time-dilated jinzen?

>>3415754
>>That seems... risky.

>>3415754
“That...” you begin with a frown.

“Yes?” Tōōkenju presses.

“... is actually kinda awesome,” you finally finish the thought. “I want that, how did you do it?”

“It's kind of a trick of making your perception into reality,” she begins, struggling to explain the concepts at work. “You know how sometimes when you're doing something really boring five minutes can feel like a goddamn century? And how when you're really focused on something, it can seem like it's done in seconds?”

“Yeah,” you nod in confirmation. “Every afternoon before classes wrap up.”

“It's kind of like that,” she informs you. “That may not be enough though, so imagine that you're wearing a watch around your right wrist, and one... basically anywhere else. The one around your wrist is moving faster than it should, the other is moving slower.”

You pause.

“... okay.”

“Then be sure to reverse that afterwards,” Tōōkenju immediately insists. “That's the key to making this technique safe to use long-term, otherwise your arms will end up aging faster than the rest of you.”

“Duly noted,” you nod.

>Try the technique out a few times on your own.
>Drill the technique extensively until you get it right.
>Have Tōōkenju attack you, you'll try to match it.
>Other?

>>3417304
>>Have Tōōkenju attack you, you'll try to match it.

>>3417304
>>Drill the technique extensively until you get it right.

>>3417304
>Have Tōōkenju attack you, you'll try to match it.

>>3417403
>3d10, best of three
>DC 17, crit 22

Rolled 9, 8, 2 = 19 (3d10)

>>3418049

Rolled 8, 6, 5 = 19 (3d10)

>>3418049

Rolled 1, 6, 1 = 8 (3d10)

>>3418049

>>3418049
At first it's a struggle to even mount a basic defense against Tōōkenju's newly-demonstrated ability to warp the passage of time for her body. Her blade moves so quickly that it's literally impossible to predict... by the time you've raised your own sword to parry she's already struck on the opposite side.

How is she even keeping track of it?

“Wait a minute,” you realize.

“Too slow!” she shouts, rapidly changing the angle of her attack once again.

But this time, her blade clashes against yours.

Her eyes widen in surprise. “You figured it out?”

Three more strikes pass between you in an instant, so close together that the clash of metal on metal blends together into one sharp sound.

“You have to speed up your nerves to match,” you realize. “Without doing that you won't be able to see and control your own movements any more than I could. By speeding up time for my optic nerves and brain I can keep pace with you.”

“Not bad at all,” she admits. “But you'll need to spend some time later countering that time shift. Wouldn't want your brain turning to mush by accident now, would we?”

“Right,” you nod on agreement.

>Push your training with this technique a bit further.
>Learn how to slow time for the parts you sped up.
>Try learning a new technique.
>Try switching rapidly between reiatsu, temporal, and mass control.
>Other?

>>3418101
>Learn how to slow time for the parts you sped up.
is of critical importance

>>3418101
>Push your training with this technique a bit further.

>>3418101
>>Learn how to slow time for the parts you sped up.
you gotta learn where the brakes are when you're learning to drive.

>>3418101
>>Learn how to slow time for the parts you sped up.

>>3418101
>>Learn how to slow time for the parts you sped up.
Let's make sure to grab the particular technique that makes sure she doesn't age a bazillion years before she's 25.

>>3418101
>3d10, DC 17
>best of three

Rolled 8, 2, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>3418416

Rolled 3, 9, 3 = 15 (3d10)

>>3418416

Rolled 8, 3, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>3418416

>>3418416
You elect to focus on slowing down the passage of time for the parts of your body that you affected... but the problem you encounter is that you actually end up distributing things for far too long. When you make your mind slower your perception slows as well, you just didn't realize that you'd have to account for that.

“Let's try that again,” you sigh, spending a little more time to correct your initial mistake.

Once you've managed to get things more or less evened out, your zanpakuto shakes her head and sighs. “Maybe we were getting ahead of ourselves with that one.”

“Maybe,” you admit. “It seems like it certainly is a risky thing to mess with.”

“Then perhaps we should try a different approach,” she suggests.

>Take it slower, see if Tōōkenju has a good idea for another technique for you to practice on.
>Drill changing between reiatsu and mass redistribution as quickly as possible.
>Other?

>>3418536
>Drill changing between reiatsu and mass redistribution as quickly as possible.

>>3418536
>>Drill changing between reiatsu and mass redistribution as quickly as possible.

>>3418536
>>Drill changing between reiatsu and mass redistribution as quickly as possible.

>>3418536
>>Drill changing between reiatsu and mass redistribution as quickly as possible.

>>3418610
3d10, best of three. DC 17, crit 22

Rolled 2, 3, 2 = 7 (3d10)

>>3419715

Rolled 5, 3, 7 = 15 (3d10)

>>3419715

Rolled 10, 5, 7 = 22 (3d10)

>>3419715

File: 1c9ip54ic_1bkjb9jsq_worky_bits.jpg (120 KB, 720x900)

120 KB JPG

>>3419780

>>3419715
The next step is to put what you've learned so far together.

An attack to your left ribs passes through your torso, and a reiatsu-enhanced punch to the side of Tōōkenju's head. That passes through her as well and a blur of fists is the response you get.

It feels like hours, slipping through attacks and weaving, taking the time you need to return your body to the way it was before switching to an enhanced reiatsu punch to go back on the offense. It's slow, but you eventually start to figure out how this needs to happen for it to work as a unified style of combat. The basic 'cycle' to it consists of four steps: shifting your physical presence away from danger has to happen as soon after recognizing the threat as possible, and you need to hold it in that state for as long as it takes to evade the attack.

Next you realize comes the finicky step of returning your body to its previous state... you say 'finicky' not because it's particularly difficult to do, but because if you do it wrong it'd leave you vulnerable to an immediate follow-up attack. Much the same as in iaidō or karate you have to be mindful of your opponent and your surroundings at all times.

Then you have two more steps, which must happen as quickly as possible: concentrating spiritual power in your strike, then dispersing it back throughout the rest of your body. The best timing is to already be striking by the time you're switching between resetting your physical presence and concentrating your spiritual power.

“There's an inherent and complex rhythm to battle,” Tōōkenju narrates. “A ceaseless flow. When it flows against you that isn't the end, when it flows in your favor that doesn't mean you've won.”

The tempo gradually builds up. That doesn't mean it's consistent or predictable, Tōōkenju would certainly never allow that. But the gaps between each step certainly grow shorter and shorter, until they seem to flow naturally from one to the next into a ceaseless dance.

“Very good,” she commends you. “I feel like we could go like this for days, even weeks without stopping.”

>That would be a prerequisite for Bankai, wouldn't it?
>Let's try something new. Add some more optional steps to the dance.
>What about my overall level of spiritual power?
>Other?

>>3419873
>That would be a prerequisite for Bankai, wouldn't it?

>>3419873
>Let's try something new. Add some more optional steps to the dance.

>>3419873
Let's try something new. Add some more optional steps to the dance.

>>3419873
>>Let's try something new. Add some more optional steps to the dance.

>>3419873
>>Let's try something new. Add some more optional steps to the dance.

>>3419873
>3d10 for trying new things
>best of three

Rolled 9, 8, 3 = 20 (3d10)

>>3420503

Rolled 5, 1, 8 = 14 (3d10)

>>3420503

Rolled 5, 4, 10 = 19 (3d10)

>>3420503

>>3420503
“How about we try something new?” you ask. “I mean, other than the time thing?”

Tōōkenju thinks to herself for a few moments before snapping her fingers. “Acoustics!”

You stare at her for a few seconds before repeating. “Acoustics?”

She nods. “Acoustical absorption is the property of absorbing sound waves. All physical structures have that property... but you only need it on the surface of your skin.”

“So if I concentrate all the 'acoustic absorption' in my body on my skin,” you reason, waiting for Tōōkenju to complete the thought for you.

“You'd be able to move completely silently, because your body would be a 'black hole' of sound.”

So it's a stealth technique this time? You'll admit, the sound of a shinigami using shunpō or an arrancar using sonido is something you've picked up on. Even Riku and Ishida's hirenkyaku makes a sound, though it's far gentler and smoother. Without that, you'd stand a greater chance of taking Aizen by surprise when you move.

The first few attempts are less than stellar, with Tōōkenju clearly hearing you as you try to creep up on her across the tatami. On each occasion you'd get right up close to her from behind, only to find yourself hurled through the air over her shoulder to crash unceremoniously to the floor.

As with so many other things, turns out it's harder in practice.

But eventually you manage to succeed in poking Tōōkenju in the ribs, earning a surprised yelp when you do.

“Now then,” she says after coughing into her fist. “Let's see you put it all together.”
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 4, 7, 8 = 19 (3d10)

>>3420624

Rolled 8, 9, 9 = 26 (3d10)

>>3420624

Rolled 3, 1, 4 = 8 (3d10)

>>3420624
TIME FOR A NAT 3!

>>3420666
well you did get a 3 lucifer

>>3420624
This sparring exchange is very similar to the last one, though both of you are very much aware that something different could happen at any instant. It's just all up to you when that happens, it's on you to spring the trap.

Which you eventually do, shifting from a 'dodge' to neutral, then using your shikai powers to make your skin absorb sound as you take Tōōkenju's back. But instead of striking immediately you wait for a second, then throw your punch almost too late to take advantage of your maneuver.

The sharp knock to the back sends her stumbling forward, after which she turns around to smile at you.

“That was excellent!” she insists eagerly. “You even correctly guessed that I would use my ability to evade an immediate blow to the back... that sort of insight and forethought will serve you well when it comes time to use our power in an actual battle.”

>What other strategic factors should I be considering?
>Are there any properties I shouldn't even try affecting?
>What does our bankai actually do, out of curiosity?
>Other?

>>3420869
>>Are there any properties I shouldn't even try affecting?
I like not accidentally fucking things up.

>>3420869
>>Are there any properties I shouldn't even try affecting?
>What does our bankai actually do, out of curiosity?

>>3420869
>>What does our bankai actually do, out of curiosity?

>>3420869
>>What does our bankai actually do, out of curiosity?

>>3420869
“Are there any properties I shouldn't try to redistribute?” you ask, concerned by your experience with trying to tilt time in your favor. “Anything that would mess me up if I tried?”

“Acidity and temperature,” Tōōkenju replies immediately. “Both of those will mess with how your body works, since there are quite a few biochemical processes that only work within a pretty narrow range of pH and temperature values.”

“That didn't sound at all like Ichigo,” you sigh. “You sure you're not my 'scientific reasoning' or something?”

Your zanpakuto chuckles. “Even a 'dummy' like you knows how finicky the human body is. You've been dehydrated, too cold, and too hot. I'm just not inclined to protect my tomboy image by pretending I'm dumber than I actually am.”

“Harsh,” you shake your head. “And you don't think my weird little human brain has something to do with the fact that I don't really bother to think about stuff like that?”

“When your shikai affects 'stuff like that' there's no excuse,” Tōōkenju gently chastises you with a light smack on the head. “Pay attention in science classes from now on, Tatsuki.”

“One more question,” you admit/ “What does our bankai even do?”

Her response comes with a frown and a shake of her head. “I don't know.”

“You don't know?” you repeat.

Tōōkenju rolls her eyes at you. “There an echo in here?”

“Now that sounded like Ichigo,” you chuckle. “I'm just surprised that you wouldn't know a thing like that.”

Your zanpakuto sighs. “Sorry, it's just a bit of a touchy subject I guess. But yeah, I don't actually know partly because you're not ready for it yet. I'd say it's a weird situation but I don't actually know if that's true, since I don't have anything to compare it to.”

>If we could let you talk to another zanpakuto spirit would that help?
>I heard that Abarai had a false Bankai. Is our situation kind of similar?
>It's alright not to know. We'll just have to figure it out together, right?
>Other?

>>3422201
>I heard that Abarai had a false Bankai. Is our situation kind of similar?
>It's alright not to know. We'll just have to figure it out together, right?

>>3422201
>>I heard that Abarai had a false Bankai. Is our situation kind of similar?
>>It's alright not to know. We'll just have to figure it out together, right?

>>3422201
>It's alright not to know. We'll just have to figure it out together, right?

>>3422201
>3d10, DC 16
>best of three

Rolled 1, 9, 4 = 14 (3d10)

>>3422408

Rolled 10, 5, 2 = 17 (3d10)

>>3422408

Rolled 3, 2, 5 = 10 (3d10)

>>3422408

>>3422408
“That's not a problem,” you insist. “That just means we'll have to figure it out together, right?”

Tōōkenju stares at you for a moment before laughing. “Yeah, I guess you're right about that!”

“Of course I am,” you scoff. “So, where does that leave us?”

“Same place we were before,” she admits. “But I have an idea.”

“Oh?” you ask, interest piqued. “Tell me more.”

“Can I interest you in a 'false' Bankai?” she asks, watching your response carefully. “Really, a better phrase for it would be a 'pseudo-Bankai'... not your 'true' Bankai but more of a shikai with enhanced reiatsu output.”

“I'm very interested,” you agree. “How do we start?”

“I dunno,” Tōōkenju admits. “I was hoping you'd have an idea or two for dragging out more of your own potential... it is after all your own body we're talking about here.”

>Kalaripayattu, an Indian martial art, emphasizes physical conditioning, meditation, and massage as improving physical ability. Maybe something similar might work here?
>The Chinese martial arts often have sets of exercise that cover 'internal' martial arts. The concept of qi might loosely parallel that of reiatsu.. maybe they were onto something?
>What happens if you meditate within the 'inner world' you can only access while you're meditating? Can you 'double-meditate'?
>Other?

>>3422520
>What happens if you meditate within the 'inner world' you can only access while you're meditating? Can you 'double-meditate'?
INCEPTION

>>3422529
this, so much this

>>3422520
>What happens if you meditate within the 'inner world' you can only access while you're meditating? Can you 'double-meditate'?

>>3422520
>>What happens if you meditate within the 'inner world' you can only access while you're meditating? Can you 'double-meditate'?
this can only go fubar, but this is not the point to stop!

>>3422520
>>The Chinese martial arts often have sets of exercise that cover 'internal' martial arts. The concept of qi might loosely parallel that of reiatsu.. maybe they were onto something?

>>3422520
>>What happens if you meditate within the 'inner world' you can only access while you're meditating? Can you 'double-meditate'?
This is clearly stupid, which means it has to work.

>>3422520
>What happens if you meditate within the 'inner world' you can only access while you're meditating? Can you 'double-meditate'?

>>3422520
>>The Chinese martial arts often have sets of exercise that cover 'internal' martial arts. The concept of qi might loosely parallel that of reiatsu.. maybe they were onto something?

>>3422520
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 8, 3, 2 = 13 (3d10)

>>3422997

Rolled 4, 3, 10 = 17 (3d10)

>>3422997

Rolled 3, 1, 4 = 8 (3d10)

>>3422997
rollan

>>3422997
“I wonder,” you frown. “What would happen if I meditated while meditating?”

Tōōkenju stares at you in disbelief. “I... have no idea whatsoever.”

“Well, all the more reason to try,” you shrug. “Couldn't hurt, right?”

“I mean, it could,” she points out. “But I see your point. So I'll watch over you while you try it.”

“Thanks for that,” you grimace. But despite that, you settle in on the tatami to try your hand at meditating.

There's no sensation that would suggest to you that what you're doing is having any effect whatsoever, at least not at first. But the longer you try, the stranger sensation you get from your chest. It's bizarre and frustrating... the harder you try to focus on it and grasp what it is the more it eludes you. But it definitely feels like reiatsu of some sort, even if you can't say anything specific about it.

>Focus on it more intently. It's a part of you, don't let it remain foreign to you.
>Relax, observe how whatever this is you're feeling responds to stimulus.
>Continue feeling within yourself, identify anything else of potential interest.
>Other?

>>3423099
>>Focus on it more intently. It's a part of you, don't let it remain foreign to you.

>>3423099
>Focus on it more intently. It's a part of you, don't let it remain foreign to you.

>>3423099
>>Relax, observe how whatever this is you're feeling responds to stimulus.

if it is elusive, observe how it interacts with its surroundings and you can draw conclusions about its nature

>>3423099
>>Relax, observe how whatever this is you're feeling responds to stimulus.

>>3423099
>>Relax, observe how whatever this is you're feeling responds to stimulus.
Forcing this might not be the way to go.

>>3423099
>>Relax, observe how whatever this is you're feeling responds to stimulus.
Is the feeling at the place Riku did the thing to give her powers?

>>3422201
>“Acidity and temperature,” Tōōkenju replies immediately. “Both of those will mess with how your body works, since there are quite a few biochemical processes that only work within a pretty narrow range of pH and temperature values.”
Shouldn't you actually have to shift temperature in order to survive shifting time rate? Heat flow would be magnified or diminished along with other time-dependent factors.

>>3423099
>3d10, best of three
>will continue tomorrow

Rolled 10, 4, 6 = 20 (3d10)

>>3423561

Rolled 10, 5, 7 = 22 (3d10)

>>3423561
>>3423571
This is a good start.

Rolled 1, 2, 10 = 13 (3d10)

>>3423561

>>3423606
>>3423598
>>3423571
Quit stealing the good dice. Noel needs it!

>>3423561
You feel yourself taking a slow, deep breath, and whatever it is you're sensing seems to re-center itself somewhere in your chest where it eventually settles after several carefully-measured cycles. Next you try to focus on it again, but it just seems to respond the same way as before, as if it's trying to protect itself from your interference.

It's not readily identifiable as Tōōkenju, and besides she's outside right now isn't she?

But then again you're already inside, so technically she's inside too... so are you feeling something inside yourself, or are you feeling something inside your 'self' while you're inside yourself? Or does it have nothing to do with you?

Maybe it's your own 'inner world' and you can't grasp it because you really can't 'double meditate'... that would put you inside your inner world inside your own inner world and you're not really sure how that would work. Like a dream inside a dream it just raises too many questions about where you are and how you would navigate your way back out.

You relax again, returning to your attention to the pattern of slow, rhythmic breathing. You notice that what you've been feeling re-centers itself once more... right where the sword pierced your chest.

“I can sense that it's a source of power, but it's protecting itself from interference,” you announce as you break out of your meditative state. “I figure messing with it when I'm already meditating is just asking for trouble if my own soul is going to such efforts to keep me from doing it.”

“Like some kind of self-preservation instinct,” Tōōkenju realizes. “That makes sense.”

“Does it though?” you sigh.

She nods. “There are rules, you know. The soul will react certain ways to certain stimuli... this must be a rare sort of interaction that prompts one such reaction. Like a new physical law you've just discovered: a consciousness can't look inward while looking inward in the same sense that a melted popsicle can't melt a second time.”

“That's a weird comparison,” you frown.

“But it makes sense, right?” she persists. “It's melted already, clearly it can't melt again. You'd have to re-freeze it first.”

>So how do I re-freeze the popsicle?
>So I just need to melt the popsicle in a different way?
>What if I only HALF-melted the popsicle?
>Other?

>>3424569
>What if I only HALF-melted the popsicle?

>>3424569
>>So I just need to melt the popsicle in a different way?

>>3424569
>>What if I only HALF-melted the popsicle?

>>3424569
>So how do I re-freeze the popsicle?

>>3424569
>So I just need to melt the popsicle in a different way?
First it becomes liquid, then it becomes gas.

>>3424569
>So I just need to melt the popsicle in a different way?

>>3424569
>3d10, best of three

Rolled 1, 10, 3 = 14 (3d10)

>>3425145

Rolled 6, 7, 5 = 18 (3d10)

>>3425145

Rolled 9, 8, 1 = 18 (3d10)

>>3425145
tats

>>3425145
“And so if we run with that, what I need to do is...” you frown. “Learn to melt the popsicle differently?”

“That's a weird metaphor.”

“But I think you have a fair plan,” Tōōkenju admits. “Why don't you try that?”

You decide that this strategy has merit... but you have to break jinzen in order to try what you have in mind.

“See you in a bit,” you tell your zanpakuto.

You open your eyes, and immediately change your strategy. Instead of focusing on your zanpakuto, as you would in jinzen, you try to do the same thing that you did in your inner world that isolated that spiritual... sensation, you could call it.

This time however it does not withdraw, but instead you find yourself greeted by a familiar scene.

Tōōkenju stares at you. “I guess that qualifies as 'a bit', but still.”

“What I was feeling before was you, then,” you ask aloud.

“It would make sense you had trouble affecting me directly,” Tōōkenju nods. “But why would it not feel like me?”

“I... don't know,” you admit.

“You know I don't think it's actually me,” she continues. “I think you must be feeling the source of your spiritual powers, of which I'm a part but not the whole.”

“What do you mean?”

She sighs. “Look, there was a time before you had me, right? Where you had your own spiritual powers, developed from having been in contact with Kurosaki, and living in Karakura?”

>So you're saying that's not YOU, but the source of the powers that BECAME you?
>So would it do me any good to pursue that possibility?
>Then maybe I should focus on working with the part of me that IS you.
>Other?

>>3425280
>>So you're saying that's not YOU, but the source of the powers that BECAME you?

>>3425280
>>So you're saying that's not YOU, but the source of the powers that BECAME you?

>>3425280
>>So you're saying that's not YOU, but the source of the powers that BECAME you?
None of that "The Real You" bullshit Ichigo gets stuck on.

>>3425280
>>So you're saying that's not YOU, but the source of the powers that BECAME you?

>>3425280
> So you're saying that's not YOU, but the source of the powers that BECAME you?

>>3425280
>So you're saying that's not YOU, but the source of the powers that BECAME you?

Seems pretty conclusive. Will write after dinner.

>>3425280
“So you're saying that's not you,” you muse, “but the power that eventually became you?”

“That's my thinking,” she nods. “So we're back to your soul reacting to your attempts to strengthen yourself by messing with the seat of your spiritual power.”

“How do I improve my spiritual power then?” you ask.

“Why don't you ask someone who'd know?”

Before you know it your eyes open again. Kurosaki Isshin looks to be taking a nap sitting upright, and Ichigo is still in Jinzen.

>Wake Ichigo. He's been in the same situation as you before.
>Wake Isshin. He's an actual shinigami, so he should know.
>Take a few steps away and try pushing your reiatsu harder than usual.
>Other?

>>3427364
>Wake Isshin. He's an actual shinigami, so he should know.

>>3427364
>>Wake Isshin. He's an actual shinigami, so he should know.

>>3427364
>>Wake Isshin. He's an actual shinigami, so he should know.

>>3427364
>>Wake Isshin. He's an actual shinigami, so he should know.

>>3427364
>>Take a few steps away and try pushing your reiatsu harder than usual.

>>3427364
>>Wake Isshin. He's an actual shinigami, so he should know.

>>3427364
You lean down and gently shake Ichigo's father awake. Between the two of them it's hardly a question which you'd expect to know more about being a shinigami.

He awakens with a start. “Hey, what? I wasn't sleeping.”

“You were sleeping,” you insist. “How long have we been in here?”

Kurosaki Isshin rubs his face, then pinches the bridge of his nose. “I... don't know? Quite some time.”

“Anyway,” you pres, “I didn't just wake you up to bother you, I promise. I wanted to ask you something.”

He shakes his head. “Yeah, what about?”

“How does a shinigami get more reiatsu?”

He sighs, seemingly considering his answer carefully. “I'm not sure how to answer, really. Assuming what you mean is how much of your potential you can draw from your total reiryoku, there really isn't a way to train for that.”

“What do you mean there isn't a way?” you demand. “Then how do Captains get that strong?”

“Well, Captains start off exceptional,” Kurosaki Isshin explains. “So they get harder missions to start with, they get challenged. The ones who make it to Lieutenant are the seated officers who rise to the challenge and survive many times over, and eventually those who continue pushing themselves and surviving will make it to Captain.”

“But if you're too weak to get into really tough fights and survive you typically get put in teams,” he summarizes. “So you never get the chance to really push yourself.”

>So if I woke up Ichigo, we could push each other and improve...
>Are you sure there's no way you can help me train harder?
>So... I'll have to wait until we get out of here to ACTUALLY get stronger?
>Other?

>>3427856
>Are you sure there's no way you can help me train harder?

>>3427856
>>So if I woke up Ichigo, we could push each other and improve...

>>3427856
Sounds like its trained the same way you do muscles. Push it as far as you can go and itll grow.

>>3427856
>>So if I woke up Ichigo, we could push each other and improve...
I like the idea of Tatsuki beating the shit out of Ichigo until he's forced to actually take her seriously as a strong fighter in her own right.

>>3428126
>>3427856
yeah, that would be good for both of them

>>3427856
>So if I woke up Ichigo, we could push each other and improve...

>>3427856
> So if I woke up Ichigo, we could push each other and improve...
Y'know, I wouldn't object to training against Isshin as well. He used to be a Captain, and even if he's a touch rusty, he's definitely going to have more tricks that Tatsuki can learn. Hell, he can probably use the sparring just as much.

>>3427856
“So if I woke Ichigo up,” you reason aloud, “then we could push each other to improve!”

“Hang on a minute...” Kurosaki Isshin begins, but you've already started.

“Hey nerd,” you cheerfully smack him on the back. “You got a minute?”

He awakens with a start, before scuttling away from you across the ground. “Tatsuki!? What are you doing!?”

“Need your help with something,” you admit. “How are things going with you?”

Ichigo shakes his head, his initial disorientation seeming to pass. “Fine. Still working stuff out with Zangetsu and... other Zangetsu. Why, what's up?”

“Hit a bit of a roadblock with my own training,” you admit. “Tōōkenju says I need to strengthen my reiatsu before I can really make any more progress, and you dad says the best way to do that is to have something to challenge me.”

“Doesn't that sound like fun?”

“Umm... yeah,” Ichigo mutters. “Sure.”

“Why am I not convinced you mean that?” you frown.

“Oh boy,” Kurosaki Isshin grumbles.

“Well, it's just that I was making a lot of headway with my own situation,” Ichigo admits. “Figuring out how to differentiate and balance the two sources of power I have to work with was one thing, but I've also had to try and advance my training with both of them separately.”

“So you're saying I interrupted you,” you nod, your expression deliberately neutral.

“Well...” Ichigo scratches the back of his head uncomfortably. “Yeah, kinda?”

>So your improvement is more important than mine is? Got it.
>Look, I need you to help me get to the point where I can help you.
>I don't intend to be protected by you like some helpless princess.
>Other?

>>3429916
>Look, I need you to help me get to the point where I can help you.
>I don't intend to be protected by you like some helpless princess.

>>3429916
>Look, I need you to help me get to the point where I can help you.
>I don't intend to be protected by you like some helpless princess.
Tats's situation ain't too different.

>>3429916
>>So your improvement is more important than mine is? Got it.

>>3429916
>Look, I need you to help me get to the point where I can help you.

>>3429916
>other: just punch him.

>>3430034
>other: just punch him.
>Make a deal: if he can definitely beat you quickly, then you'll let him go back to his training

>3d10, best of three

Rolled 1, 6, 2 = 9 (3d10)

>>3430460

Rolled 5, 7, 7 = 19 (3d10)

>>3430460

Rolled 3, 5, 4 = 12 (3d10)

>>3430460

File: 1471474395020.jpg (119 KB, 640x480)

119 KB JPG

>>3430460
“Look, I know your own training is important too,” you frown. “But I need your help to improve, same as I needed Kuchiki. Otherwise I'm not going to be strong enough to help, and you and I both know it.”

Eventually Ichigo sighs. “Right. Well, what are the ground rules gonna be?”

“Fists only,” you declare. “Otherwise there's a chance of giving each other lasting wounds, and that defeats the purpose.”

“Alright, I agree,” Ichigo nods. “We'll see how this goes.”

You both raise your fists, and after a second of assessing his stance you take the initiative with a left kick. He blocks it with his elbow and takes a step in, probing your guard with a series of jabs. Then, when he feels confident, he throws a right hook that you slide through using Tōōkenju's abilities before catching him in the back of the head with your left elbow.

He reverses with a roundhouse kick, which you duck and respond to with a double uppercut to his chest that sends him flying back into the wall.

“You should be stronger than this, Ichigo,” you insist, cratering the wall to his left as he rolls out of the way. “Faster too. Why aren't you?”

“I have a tough time hitting you, okay?” he raises his voice.

“Why?” you demand. “Is it that hard to take me seriously?”

“It's not that!” Ichigo insists, throwing a punch that you catch close to your chin.

“Then what!?” you demand.

He stares at you, chewing his lip. “Do I have to say it?”

“Yes!” you press.

“I'm... still into you.”

>Now isn't the time, Ichigo. Now punch me back like you mean it.
>... if we get through this we'll go out, okay? But ONLY if we get through this.
>I'll admit, I've... kinda felt the same way, whenever I wasn't frustrated with you.
>Other?

>>3430676
>... if we get through this we'll go out, okay? But ONLY if we get through this.

alternatively
Sorry, I have a crush on your aunt.

>>3430676
>>... if we get through this we'll go out, okay? But ONLY if we get through this.

>>3430676
>>... if we get through this we'll go out, okay? But ONLY if we get through this.
I mean, not like we are gonna be alive then ... too dark?

>>3430676
>I'll admit, I've... kinda felt the same way, whenever I wasn't frustrated with you.

>>3430676
>>I'll admit, I've... kinda felt the same way, whenever I wasn't frustrated with you.

>>3430676
>other: KISS HIM YOU FOOL!

>>3430676
>punch him again

>>3430676
>>3430686
changing to >>3430918

>>3430676
5 in the mouth

>>3430676
>punch him again
>>... if we get through this we'll go out, okay? But ONLY if we get through this.

>>3430965
supporting
>>3430676