>>5255913You step up, calmly and firmly grasping the blade’s hilt. The instructor let go in the same instant, allowing you to fully hold and look at your new zanpakuto. It didn’t feel <span class="mu-i">quite</span> right in your hand, the katana seeming short to you as you thought about what Kazeko had said prior to your fight with Shin. You reasoned that that feeling would fade in time, once you got more used to things, and you looked to the instructor, an eyebrow raised.
“That all? That’s it? I was kinda expectin’… I dunno, fireworks or somethin’. I haven’t missed somethin’, have I?” You asked, genuinely a little surprised that nothing more had happened, that you hadn’t felt something fundamentally within you change as soon as you made contact with the sword.
Your instructor shook his head, handing you a sheath. “No, that’s all. Congratulations.” You shrugged, tying the saya to your waist and sheathing your new weapon in it, before wandering back to your seat, as the instructor called the next member of your class down.
Once everyone had been given their asauchi, the instructor continued, saying “Just because you’ve been given a zanpakuto, don’t think you’re anywhere close to being a full-fledged shinigami yet. Your goal now is to imprint your spirit into that asauchi, to turn it from a blank canvas to something that is inexorably yours. You can do this through simply working with your zanpakuto, or through jinzen, sword meditation.”
You nodded at your seat, remembering jinzen as being something your father had talked about as being vitally important.
“It takes most shinigami many years to properly imprint on their zanpakuto, and many years after that to learn its name. Do not feel ashamed if it takes you longer than your peers, or if you never do it at all - many currently serving shinigami have never managed it either.” He paused for a second, looking at all of you, before sighing. “You’re dismissed for the day. I recommend getting to grips with your new weapons, as we’ll begin zanjutsu classes from tomorrow.” With that, the old instructor walked out of the room, and the class exploded into chatter.
“Hey, Danketsu! Let’s spar again now that we’ve got our real weapons!” Shin exclaimed, while Kazeko stood and began to walk away, presumably to the training ground. Tsunayashiro also began walking in that direction, while Tsukuya remained in place, eyes closed.
You…
>Take Shin’s offer>Follow Kazeko and Tsunayashiro>Bother Tsukuya>Decide to leave by yourself and get to grips with your new sword solo>Decide to leave by yourself and attempt Jinzen 