Never read or watched Baccano but in Durarara the healthiest relationship was probably that between Celty and Shinra. And he didn't want her to find her head because he thought she was perfect without it.
'Nuff said.
Edited by KnightofLsama on Feb 11th 2019 at 9:25:56 PM
Maybe brushogun gave them all new Japanese names because he seems the type to do that
Forever liveblogging the AvengersA new part of Can't fear your own world has been machine-translated.
- What happened was this: Everything that happened up to Shuhei swatting away Senbonzakura was real. Then the narrative switches to the POV of those under Kyoka Suigetsu. They saw Hisagi cutting off Tokinada's arm; the person they thought was Tokinada wasn't even himself; that was a mud figure created by Tsuchinamazu. After Shuhei deflected Senbonzakura, which in truth was just a diversion so Tokinada and Aura can switch. Hisagi was tricked into believing that Tokinada's Reiatsu had disappeared because of the cloak. Kensei tried to warn Hisagi, because Kyoka Suigetsu showed Kensei an illusion. Hisagi opened instinctively his eyes and Tokinada shattered Kyoka Suigetsu, which simultaneously hyponized Hisagi.
- Another reason why fighting Yamamoto was suicide: Ryujin Jakka is so hot that it can melt every Zanpakto, rendering it useless.
- It seems if a Shinigami loses the arm that holds the Zanpakto, the effects of the Zanpakto end and it becomes useless. Might explain why so many characters lose their arms.
- And Aura is back up again, having healed herself.
- Ginjou appears. According to Aura, Yukio had inserted a virus into his past, which then infected Tsukishima, who then infected Ginjou. Though it is possible that Yukio was speaking in metaphors. For example, when Yukio met with Aura they both anticipated that Tsukishma would eventually bookmark one of them. So they enacted something, that if Tsukishma saw it via Book of the End, would make him stop attacking. If it wasn't a metaphor, then we have discovered some new applications for Yukio's Fullbring.
- Tokinada believes that Ginjou is now a mindless puppet but then Ginjou impales him with Cross of Scaffold. Turns out Aura never intended to brainwash Ginjou. This begs the question what exactly Tsukishima and Ginjou saw.
- Tokinada heals himself with Hanataro's Zanpakto. Ginjou attacks Tokinada. Tokinada uses Zangetsu. But Zangetsu shatters again. Seems to be a reoccurring problem with Zangetsu. Though for unknown reason Tokinada could only copy its appearance. Perhaps the Hollow and Quincy factor had something to do with that.
- We learn a new weakness of Kyoka Suigetsu, which means there are now five weaknesses. Though three of those are negated by Aizen's own immense Reiatsu and intellect.
1. Touching the sword.
2. Not being able to control the reikaku sense
3. Using it on multiple people drains your Reiatsu at high speed.
4. The user is responsible for what the victims see. If the illusions are not perfect, then the victim is going to notice flaws. Using it on multiple people means you have to focus a lot.
5. When deactivated once, the spell completely ends and those with higher Reiatsu have to be put under the spell again. They have to see the Shikai again. This also applies to groups. Then it is enough that the collective has more Reiatsu.
- Though it is possible that the fifth weakness affected Aizen during his fight with Yhwach. After piercing Aizen, Kyoka Suigetsu ended and Yhwach had noticed that the hypnosis was gone, allowing Yhwach to easily consume Aizen.
- Ginjou has more Reitasu than Byakuya and by extension Tokinada and Yoruichi. Given how Candice, one of the weaker Sternritter, did alright against Ginjou and Tsukishima, it shows that Byakuya cannot just easily defeat other Sternritter.
- Aura betrays Tokinada. The reason is because she doesn't want Hikone to become the Soul King just like that. Aura had developed motherly feelings, since she created Hikone. Having experienced what it was like to be trapped without any own agency, she doesn't want Hikone to end up like her. Though she is not against Tokinada's plans per se. She still hates the Shinigami. It's just that she sees that Hikone (and Gremmy technically) are just like how she used to be. Ignorant of the true world. Aura wants Hikone to see the world for himself. And if he still wants to follow Tokinada after that, even if it will lead to Hikone's demise, then she will gladly accept. She is aware that not all path will end happily and free will also means to chose a bad path that leads to a tragedy. Aura accepted this possibility. But only if Hikone chooses it out of his own sound and educated violation.
- It seems that is the main message of the novel. You can't let people stay ignorant of the world. You have to tell and show them the truth. Even it is horrible and will scare them. People have the right to know the truth about their world, about their environment. They have the right of free will and one should not just decide for them, even if one thinks it is for the best.
Missstormcaller has properly translated a new part of the second volume. http://missstormcaller.tumblr.com/post/182720423517/cant-fear-your-own-world-vol-ii-part-10-full
- Ryuken is officially recognized by Soul Society as an potential ally. Though Yuki is scared of him.
- Hiyori was sent by Ikumi to rescue Yuki and Shino from Xcution. This kinda implies that Ikumi isn't just an ordinary human. Well the possibility was brought up before anyway, when she was able to see Ichigo's badge, even after he had restored his powers.
- The masked men are not members of Xcution. They are mind-controlled heathens.
- Aura comments how the Shinigami have no qualms to kill women and children for the sake of their justice. Then again, the Quincy massacre was a thing. Though admittedly after the second blood war, most of the Shinigami who had participated in the genocide are dead. Okikaba, Shunsui and possibly some of the Vizards and Hikifune are the only active Shinigami left.
- Urahara did not come up with the Limit Release. The R&D department did as a whole did.
- The reason Aura and Tokinada want to kidnap Urahara is because they need him to make a Hogyoku. Without that, Hikone can't become a Soul King. Makes one wonder just what the Hogyoku is. Or why Yhwach didn't need to use the Hogyoku, after he absorbed the Soul King. Or whether or not Ichibee intended to use the Hogyoku on Ichigo.
There is also new promotion for the Brave Souls and Can't fear your own world collab. It will start in spring. End of march seems to be the most likely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=855NFFW3hzE
Plus some general info about the plot and the new characters, if you need some update: https://www.bleach-bravesouls.com/en/index.php?dc_action=contents%2Fnovel_collaboration
Thinking about how certain other series (My Hero Academia and Shokugeki no Soma, specifically) use their secondary characters got me wondering about how the series would have gone if Kubo stuck to his original plan of having the Soul Reapers show up later and having Ichigo's other human friends develop super natural powers as well.
As it became a joke/sore spot that Uryu, Orihime, and especially Chad were just out of their league, it might not have really mattered. But in the scenario other things might just be different by default.
Given Kubo's writing, it'd probably still be a case of Can't Catch Up, except we would've at least gotten to see more of what they could do. They'd be like the humans in Dragon Ball, or the rest of the Konoha 11 once Fated Family BS set in.
Kubo actually had a chance to right his own wrongs with Orihime, Chad, and Uryu in the Mexico, Fullbright Scholar, and Ice Nazi arcs, by having them catch up and remind us of their importance and bond with Ichigo. He just didn't, and instead threw the old faithful Captains at the villains again, or just used Ichigo.
Edited by wanderlustwarrior on Feb 21st 2019 at 11:19:11 AM
The sad, REAL American dichotomyPages 256 to 321 have been machine translated.
- Tokinada of course had expected that. Only the timing had surprised him. So, he had prepared a counter measure against Aura. In volume 2 Tokinada mentioned that there was one Shinigami Aura could never defeat. Turns out said Shinigami was Yumichika. Yumichika's Zanpakto sucks out the Reishi from the environment, which renders Aura's attacks useless, plus, since she is fused with the environment, she is also extremely vulnerable to the Reishi absorption. This also means that she is weak to Quincy, which makes her victory over the Soldat even more impressive.
- The funny thing is how Tokinada learned about this counter measure. It's because Azashiro, the eight Kenpachi took Yumichika's Zanpakto in Spirit's are forever with you, because he too was vulnerable to it. Because Aura's ability is similar to Azashiro's Bankai, Tokinada figured out that Aura was also weak to Ruri’iro Kujaku. Needless to say, Azashiro and the broad events of the novel seem to be canon. Azashiro is still in Muken btw.
- Enrakyoten can copy every Zanpakto in existence, past and present. But the problem is, that Tokinada has to know about the Zanpakto, cause he has to actively make Enrakyoten copy the Zanpakto and he can't make it copy something, which he doesn't know. So, Tokinada only knows the same few Zanpakto, we know. In the hands of Oetsu or Ichibee Enrakyoten would be truly devastating.
- Tokinada uses Ruri’iro Kujaku and Aura falls to her knees (meanwhile Ginjo is trying to attack Tokinada). Tokinada chides her for not betraying her earlier, so that the Kyoraku alliance would not fall under Kyoka Suigetsu. I can't help but wonder if Tokinada is also making fun of Gin, who's betrayal was likewise poorly thought out.
- Tokinada knew that Aura would develop maternal feelings for Hikone. He thought it would be funny, if Aura would develop feelings for the first time, only for him to trample all over them. Tokinada is only disappointed by the expression Aura makes.
- Ginjou is pissed as Tokinada's sadism and attacks him further.
- Tokinada admits that it is fun to watch a child grow up as you wanted them to. He also admits that even he is able to understand Aizen's and Yhwach's feelings for Ichigo, as both had closely monitored Ichigo. This also means that Tokinada too observed Ichigo. Just for fun Ichigo was monitored since he was a child by the following people (not counting his parents): Aizen, Gin and Tosen, Yhwach and Haschwalth (and possibly Quilge), Tokinada and the Tsunayashiro family, Aura and her father, Ichibee, Urahara and potentially Ryuken and Ginjo.
- Tokinada then mocks how Ginjo could feel compassion for someone he had just met. Tokinada activates Kyoka Suigetsu to hypnotize Ginjo, but it fails. Aura, despite her Reiatsu being half gone, is still dispersed and touches every single blade of Enrakyoten.
- Aura tells Tokinada, who is getting attacked by Ginjo, that this is the love of a parent. She then wonders if her father felt like this for her and if her mother loved her. As her consciousness begins to slowly fade, Aura continues to exude Reiatsu to all the surrounding space. She breaks down her own cells to transform them into Reiatsu. The emotions she had never embraced thus far begin to slowly explode out of her.
- Tokinada decides that the most appropriate end for Aura would be to die at the hands of the child, she loves so much. Though Ginjo won't let him. Giriko defeats the creatures of Gagaku Kairo, while Tsukishma extinguishes Ryuijin Jakka by bookmarking the flames. Apparently, Tsukishima can stab even fire.
- Ginjo goes into his white-haired form, the one he had used against Ichigo. Going by Tokinada's words, this is not Bankai, but rather Ginjo's own Horn of Salvation. Also, it seems Tokinada believes that Ginjo wants to become Soul King himself so that he can destroy and recreate the world.
- The reason Hollows attack pregnant women, is because the fetus are infected by a fragment of the Soul King. Every Fullbringer possesses a fragment of the Soul King. This fragment allows them to manifest desires. These fragments are a Hogyoku.
- Orihime and Chad are only superficially Fullbringer. The two had inherited fragments of the Soul King from their parents. But thanks to contact with Hollows during Uryuu's and Ichigo's competition, the guidance of the actual Hogyoku and their desire to protect, they manifested powers that can technically be classified as Fullbring.
- This was all Ginjo's speculation btw. Tokinada doesn't exactly confirm it, but indicates that Ginjo is right. Ginjo then tells Tokinada that he wants to change the world in his own way, not through destroying it. Tokinada mentions the deaths of Ginjo's friends. Ginjo tells him, that he is not interested in who did it. He would have become an enemy of the Shinigami anyway. His only pain is not hearing the truth from Ukitake.
- Tokinada speculates that Aura must have told Ginjo. Ginjo had not heard anything at all from Aura. That is why the surveillance bacteria controlled by Tokinada had not detected Aura’s betrayal. However, Ginjo knew everything. That was because of Yukio and Tsukishima. Via these two Fullbringers, the will of Aura was transmitted to Ginjo. Using her unique ability to rearrange even the elementary structure of her own body, she had engraved a myriad of QR codes on to the back side of the business card that she had handed to Yukio. In exchange for information on the Shinigami clan responsible for killing Ginjo’s friends, Yukio had agreed to play the part of forming an alliance for the sake of Tokinada’s cause.
- It was a little unbelievable for Yukio at first, but upon obtaining information that Aura had several powerful business conglomerates among her followers, he realized that it provided him with sufficient business profit. Yukio did not know whether that information would be of any use to Ginjo. After that, it was an easy matter for him to convert the rest of his comrades to his side, since he was so familiar with their habits. He knew very well that Tsukishima would invariably try to bookmark him. Tsukishima had not actually altered Yukio’s past, and thus the surveillance bacteria had not reported anything. Since Tsukishima already knew about Ginjo’s circumstances, he had looked into Yukio’s past and had conveyed the message to Giriko and Ginjo by bookmarking them, leaving Yukio’s past as it was.
- Yukio is an atheist. He mentions his lack of faith after hearing another god of time speech from Giriko.
- Tokinada reveals that the nobles were the ones who had implanted the spy function on the Shinigami badge. Ukitake was not okay with it, but he had trust in Ginjo. Ukitake and Ginjo’s relationship was one of tragic misunderstanding orchestrated by Tokinada. Ukitake didn’t know why the nobles wanted to spy on Ginjo. He protested, hoping that Ginjo would forgive him. However, the murder of Ginjo’s friends was something that was unknown to Ukitake. The nobles wanted to collect the Soul King fragment inside Ginjo(hence why the Gotei took Ginjo's corpse). They used the badge to track him down and afterwards Tokinada spoke to Ukitake. Tokinada made it sound like Ginjo was distraught over the eavesdropping incident only, leaving out the bit about Ginjo going mad with rage over the unfair death of his friends. Ukitake only got to know one side of the picture. Tokinada also lied to Ukitake, stating that Ginjo had killed his own friends. It was easy enough for him to lie as his family was in control of the Visuals Dept. Ginjo, on the other hand, believed that Ukitake had initiated this event, since he was the one who had given him the badge. It didn't help that Ginjou soon killed a few of Ukitake's subordinates.
- Ginjo and Ukitake had a deep bond, so both were extremely distraught by the other's "betrayal". Just to be clear. The great nobles were the ones to assassinate Ginjou and implement the spy function. Tokinada merely escalated the fallout between Ginjo and Ukitake. Tokinada initially wanted to tell Ukitake the truth, and then force him to keep quiet by taking Ukitake's younger siblings hostage. But Tokinada feared the wrath of Mimihagi.
- It seems that Ukitake can use Mimihagi in battle and apparently, Kyoraku was once on the bad side of Ukitake and experienced fist hand why it is a bad idea to anger the host of a god. That was probably the incident mentioned in 13th Blades, where Ukitake had injured Kyoraku so much that Yamamoto had to bring him to the Royal Realm to Tenshiro's spring. Beware the Nice Ones indeed.
- Ginjo's resolve to take down Tokinada only grows. Tokinada tries to provoke and mock him, but Ginjo answers with a Getsuga Tensho, that is almost as powerful as Ichigo's.
- The only thing Tokinada can do is to release Hisogumaru's counter attack but all that does is to divert the Getsuga Tensho in a slightly different direction. Instead of Tokinada, Ginjo's Getsuga Tensho obliterates a mountain.
- As Tokinada is losing, he tries to summon Hikone, but is cut off by Kazeshini wrapping itself around his arm and ripping it off. Tokinada is confused how Hisagi was able to pinpoint his location and how he was unable to notice Kazeshini. The later was because Kezeshini's chain had been wrapped around Urahara's Reiatsu concealing cloak. As for the former, turns out, Hisagi was never under Kyoka Suigetsu. While Hisagi was indeed confused and shocked when Tokinada shattered Kyoka Suigetsu, it was actually because Shinji had used Sakanade on Hisagi. Since the front and back were reversed, Hisagi had not actually seen the release of the Shikai. His look of astonishment was because he had been shocked and confused that everything before his eyes was inverted; front, back, left, right, above, below. It was all upside down.
- Shinji had originally planned to use this trick if Aizen was trying to hypnotize Ichigo, but it never came to that since Aizen dropped like 80 IQ points in FKT.
- In the same moment Shunsui uses Okyo to hide Enrakyoten in the shadows. Defenseless, Tokinada is hit by a Getsuga Tensho and red blood blossomed like flowers as it danced high up in the sky of the Kyogoku.
This chapter also implied a few things:
- This is the second time that Fullbring powers have been described as the power to change the world. It is implied that the Soul King deliberately sent out his pieces to the world, so that eventually the current system can be changed.
- Since the Soul King is the source of the Quincy powers, it seems that Yhwach's soul pieces function in the same way. Every Sternritter has basically a Hogyoku inside them. It was earlier mentioned that the soul pieces also transforms them into an existence closer to true Quincy, with Lille being particularly close. It seems that true Quincy used to be angelic beings with Schrift and Vollständig as their default mode.
- Aizen's Hogyoku only function because he took the "nail" from Rangiku, which begs the question what Soul King body part Urahara had used for his Hogyoku, where and how he got it.
- The reason the Soul King pieces (which btw are not the same as actual body parts) need Hollows to trigger it, may be because the Soul King himself came into existence to fight Hollows. I forgot to mention that before but it is implied that the Soul King didn't come spontaneously into existence but rather that he was created by the world itself as a counter measure against the Hollow that threatened its existence. You could say, the Soul King is the manifestation of the will of the planet. That would also explain why Yhwach would believe everything's for his to take. He is basically the child of the planet's will.
- It's possible, if they themselves encountered a Hollow trigger, Ichigo's friends could develop Fullbring powers too. Especially Tatsuki, since the Hogyoku or possibly Ichigo caused them to be spiritually aware.
- Aizen may have been referring to the Soul King fragment inside her, when he said that Orihime's powers could enter the realms of the gods. Not to mention her shield was able to block Yhwach's Soul King shadows and later reverse the Almighty, albeit with Tsukishima's help.
- But the cannon doesn't launch, thanks to Urahara. Apparently, he knew about the Visual Department and the surveillance since the first arc. Remember the panels of the "random fly" that Urahara or rather Jinta had crushed in the first arc? Turns out that was a spy bug from the Tsunayashiro's. That moment made Urahara suspicious about Tokinada in particular.
- Urahara was never kidnapped. It way a ploy hatched by Yukio. When Urahara and Yukio had met each other in Karakura Town. The static noise that was occasionally heard on the screen floating in the air and Urahara’s act of hitting it with his cane were nothing more than means of communication. Using the Morse Code was risky as there was the possibility of Tokinada detecting it, therefore Yukio had transformed the Japanese language into a binary code using a personal computer and had shown it to Urahara via the various kinds of static noises. Urahara, who had noticed the noise, had replied to Yukio in a corresponding way, using the explosive and flashy attacks on purpose. In order to deceive the surveillance bacteria, he had fought Aura seriously.
- Urahara admits that the Soul King system is horrible and that Yhwach shouldn't be used either. Urahara still tries to keep stuff secret, but thanks to the loud speakers, everyone hears him. Tokinada calls Urahara out on his hypocrisy as Urahara has his own hideout full of dolls stuffed to the brim with all kinds of Konpaku, created with the intention of replacing the Soul King using the Hogyoku. He says, the two of them are the same.
- This also confirms that Urahara did do human experiments. Urahara admits that he was never a good guy, but also states that he does not have the same desires as Tokinada and that Tokinada eyes are like knot-holes and his sense of word-selection is zero. Urahara states that Tokinada has lost. Even if Hikone can defeat Kenpachi, the alliance will overwhelm him.
- Tokinada decides to Rage Quit. He triggers an explosion and activates the Tenkai Kecchu. Tokinada deactivates the system that keeps the castle afloat and it is now falling on Karakura Town. The Arrancar and Quincy don't care since it is only Karakura Town and won't affect the entire world. Apparently, they never heard of the meteor that wiped out the dinosaurs, which was smaller than the falling castle. Of course, since the world is only a million years old, there were no dinosaurs or meteor to begin with.
- But then Kensei notice that the lower part of the castle was separated by the explosion and is falling down on them. Luckily, Aura uses her remaining strength to summon a tornado that keeps the pieces from falling.
- Hisagi is concerned about Aura, but Aura simply states that he shouldn't be concerned about an enemy. Even if she wants Hikone to be safe.
- Tokinada orders Hikone to kill Aura. It's his final command, as Tokinada doesn't expect to live for much longer. He thanks Aura for providing one final act of entertainment before his death.
- Hikone teleports in front of Aura. That would make him the third character with that ability. Aizen and Lille being the other two.
- Before Hikone can do anything, Kenpachi appears and chides Hikone for stopping their fight. Hikone apologizes to Kenpachi and continues the fight, because he never felt this existed before. The fight is brutal and the two enjoy every second of it.
- Candice mentions how similar this attitude was to what happened during the fight with Gremmy, but drops the subject when she notices that Liltotto doesn't want to talk about it. The memory of what happened to Gremmy still seems to cause her grief.
- It seems that Hikone is becoming more and more like Gremmy and that Gremmy is alive and well inside Hikone, which is starting to affect Hikone. If I had to guess the two will be living inside one body.
- Hisagi interrupts the fight. Hikone and Kenpachi are not happy but Hisagi argues with Kenpachi that Hikone is actually weak (mentally obviously) and there would be no honor or real joy in defeating a weak opponent. Kenpachi remembers Unohana and how his Kenpachi title had been fake till recently and agrees, as long as Hisagi makes the fight amazing.
- Ginjo and Mayuri are not war potential level, but pretty close. The Fullbringers are helping Aura to suspend the castle in the air.
- Something the novel may have implied are the true origins and purpose of Jinta and Ururu. For one, it seems that they were created as means to replace the Soul King using the Hogyoku (Ichigo had yet to enter the picture at that time) and there are many more vessels, like them. Also, the fundamental difference between them and Nemu seems to be, that Nemu was created by fusing artificial Souls and Gigai technology, plus parts of Mayuri. Ginta and Ururu and by extension all the other vessels were created using living souls instead of artificial ones in combination with Gigai technology.
- Hisagi and Hikone talk about how Hikone is weak.
- Hisagi attacks Hikone. He rips Kazeshini apart and cuts Hisagi in two halves, before the former could even react.
"Yo!"
The shadow spoke to Hisagi.
Standing atop a huge tree that made one feel as if it was part of a forest or a mountain, the sound of a rust-coloured windmill turning its gears, was heard.
The usual panorama.
It is a mirror of the world that reflects the cycle of life.
'Death' and 'life' are repeated. Something new is born and then it perishes; it becomes a new wind and continues to blow around the trees and the iron.
Amidst such a scenery, Hisagi witnessed the appearance of 'Kazeshini' as it called out to him. It was an individual who took on the form of a terrifying black monster.
"That was quite reckless on your part. Did you think you could win?"
"I don't know. However, it had to have been me; otherwise, Hikone would have been the one who died. It doesn't really make sense if I let others fight in my stead whilst I go telling them 'Please do not kill Hikone, go easy on him', does it?"
"Hah! So you were trying to be a hero, huh? Don't tell me you wished to save the kid like Muguruma saved you? Or perhaps you thought you could save him from being terrified like Tosen Kaname did for you?"
"That's not it. I was a little familiar with the circumstances concerning Hikone. He never even cried, but I just could not leave the poor kid all alone."
In response to the provocative 'Kazeshini', Hisagi spoke vexedly.
"And yet... somehow... I seem to be able to talk to you like this..."
"And yet somehow, you got cut into two at the same time."
Laughing, the humanoid 'Kazeshini' leaned against the wall of the windmill.
"You admired the Shinigami, didn't you? You longed to be one, but you had no idea what that meant. In order to become an exemplary Shinigami, you tried to pull off this daredevil, idealistic stunt of yours, that you read about in those textbooks our dear Soul Society prepared. The result is this..."
Saying so, the mocking laughter disappeared from Kazeshini's face, to be replaced by a smile filled to the brim with something. It was a smile very different from the previous one.
"Finally. You have finally made me surrender to you."
"...What?"
To Hisagi, who did not grasp the meaning behind the sentence, 'Kazeshini' spoke about his own characteristics.
"A bit like my colleagues, 'White' and 'Nozarashi', I'm unique as well. My disposition is closer to shadows."
Wondering whom this 'White' belonged to, Hisagi remained silent and waited for the continuation of those words.
"Your admiration of the Shinigami and your desire to become one was partly responsible for the shape I took. The shape that looks like it was meant to reap lives."
"No way..."
Hisagi was surprised to be told that the shape he so disliked was a reflection of his own wishes.
"I am your shadow. Once you decided to gamble on your life and soul by accepting all of what you were told... the front... the back... everything, you let every ounce of your being submit itself... that is to say; to me. Well, for the time being, I have to ask you this once. Whether or not you are prepared to share our best and most effortless conversation ever."
To this unusually loquacious 'Kazeshini', Hisagi offered words of apology with a little smile.
"I'm really sorry for not understanding you for such a long time."
Strangely enough, Hisagi felt like he could fully comprehend the meaning and wonders behind the words spoken by 'Kazeshini' earlier. He understood all of it.
If 'Kazeshini' was supposed to be my own shadow, thought Hisagi, then the answer should originally come from me. I just did not realize that.
And thus, this time, it was Hisagi who re-affirmed the answer.
"I dedicate myself to you. My blood and my life are all yours."
A fierce gust of wind blew, scattering the leaves of the trees, turning the blades of the windmill intensely.
"Shadow of mine; standing in front... Lend me your strength."
'Kazeshini', who had stood in front of him, now disappeared.
"Life is nothing but life, pure and precious. Dedicating one's life means to not die; to not kill; to not let others die. When we think of 'death'; we include 'life' in it. And 'blood' is the oil that burns your life. Be it wealth, or a sense of duty, or honour, even that fear you care about so much... Whatever be the reason... Just gather them all together and add them to my blade."
That voice seemed to come from within Hisagi.
As soon as 'Kazeshini' disappeared, the windmill stopped moving. All sound disappeared from the world.
"To freely manipulate whether one lives or dies... Is that not what a 'god of death' does?"
The power of 'Kazeshini' flowed into Hisagi. It was not to raise his reiatsu, but it merely showed the concept of 'Kazeshini' to Hisagi.
As of this moment, Hisagi Shuhei accepted 'Kazeshini' inside him; the very shadow he had detested till then.
With that, the curtain was brought down upon the cycle of life.
I wonder if all Zanpakto know each other. Maybe all the inner spirit worlds are connected to each forming some sort of Zanpakto Society. I think the Muramasa filler used that idea. But that certainly confirms that Zanpakto can possess knowledge that the Shinigami doesn't have, like how Kazeshini knew about White, yet Hisagi did not. Zabimaru also knew Zangetsu's name, while Renji did not. Speaking of Zangetsu, since the Zanpakto spirit is called White, this truly means that the Old Man and White are what are making Zangetsu. Otherwise, the Zanpakto would be just called White.
- Candice immediate thought is to ask Giselle, how long Hisagi had been a zombie. Giselle simply tells her that he isn't. This also means, that Giselle and her zombie can survive everything Hisagi had just gone through. It also confirms once and for all, that zombies can possess free will, emotions, intellect and whatnot, as Candice didn't find Hisagi behaving like a normal person strange for a zombie.
- Na Na Na and Harribel notice that something strange is happening with Hisagi's Reiatsu. Harribel also notices that Reiatsu in the environment changed.
- Hisagi asks Hikone, to show him the kind of world Hikone wants to see. When Aura spoke to Hisagi earlier in the throne room, her words were "Please pray as a Shinigami. That the world of this child is blessed." As a 'god of death', who governed over lives, Hisagi handed over the world on a silver platter to Hikone by standing right in front of him.
- Hisagi tells Hikone this: "All I can do for you, Hikone, is just teach you one thing. You should never have to compromise your sense of apprehension, no matter what. Get along with fear. Don't ever forget that."
- Hisagi unleashes the scythes and throws the them into the air. As they rise above Hisagi's head, they form a helix. The two ends of Kazeshini hurtle around, eventually coming into contact with each other, erasing their forms as they disappear into the black whirlpool. The chain is condensed into a single point in the air and in the next instant, it turns into a black wind of Reiatsu that rages around, devastating the entire area. Then, it becomes a jet-black cluster that springs and leaps up, bursting outwards.
"Bankai - Kazeshini Fushi no Kojyo."
Some interesting stuff to note:
- Hikone mutilating Hisagi is basically a reenactment of the Soul King enshrinement ritual. First he loses his arms, then his heart, then the legs and viscera and Hikone had almost removed the brain too.
- What just happened is the true nature of Hisagi's Shikai. The ability to have free control over the cycle of life. In the inner world, Shuhei and Kazeshini are now one and the same. Here and in the previous section with the inner world, the word 'Shinigami' was written in quotes, and is spelled as a literal 'Reaper' or a literal 'god of death'. Kazeshini's true ability is akin to that of a true Reaper, to have full control over life and death. Shuhei hated the 'death' aspect of Kazeshini, but now Kazeshini is representing 'life'. That's why Shuhei has two weapons, two separate concepts, connected by a chain. The chain is important here. Here, we see life and death entwined together, bound together.
- Hisagi surviving so many times what should have killed him, in particular Lille's shot, was foreshadowing for Kazeshini's true nature.
- Shuhei is the literal epitome of the culmination of the world Yhwach wanted, to fuse life and death together. The chain of Kazeshini does that. To fuse life and death is not immortality, it is just the cycle of life. That was what Yhwach failed to see. Anyway, the meaning of the Bankai is 'Rope of Strangulation'. If you break down the furigana, Fushi no Kojyo, then it has another meaning: 'eternal life after one's death'. Shuhei, as a literal hanging corpse; from Kubo's sketch, represents death, but underlying that. He is actually holding life precious. Absolute duality in the name of the Bankai.
Missstormcaller has properly translated some new parts.
http://missstormcaller.tumblr.com/post/183192076532/cant-fear-your-own-world-vol-ii-part-11-full
http://missstormcaller.tumblr.com/post/183389761892/cant-fear-your-own-world-vol-ii-part-12-full
- It was Szayel who had escalated Luppi's and Grimmjow's rivalry. The original translation stated the conversation had happened between Aizen and Luppi.
- Harribel, Grimmjow and Nel are Vasto Lorde. And by extension also Nnoitra.
- The relationship between Barragan and Ikomidomoe is made more clear, as Ikomikidomoe doesn't even know what happened to Barragan.
- Ikomikidomoe's personality is more clear. He likes to joke and is Affably Evil, compared to Barragan's more typical Evil Overlord personality.
- Instead of putting him under custody, Sui-feng was ordered to protect Tokinada as a ploy to keep him from making any moves.
- Two of Sui-feng's brother's died in missions involving the Tsunayashiro family. Tokinada implies that they less died out of incompetence but that the family sacrificed their lives for their own gains. Massive respects for Sui-feng to remain so calm despite all the insults. Of course, that gets thrown out of the window once Yoruichi is mentioned. Holy crap, Sui-feng is even gayer in this version. Let's recap:
- Completely snapped when Tokinada mentioned marrying Yoruichi to the point that she forget her mission and her subordinates were prepared to restrain her.
- She interpreted Yoruichi's rejection of Tokinada's joke proposal as Yoruichi planning a honeymoon to Hueco Mundo. And then Sui-feng wanted to accompany her on that honeymoon and escape together with Yoruichi.
- This apparently happened often enough that most of Squad 2 had gotten accustomed to it, which is even more astonishing since none of them were part of the Gotei when Yoruichi was still a captain. So that all had happened in the two and half years since the SS arc.
- She is being reduced to bubbling just thank you, even though Yoruichi called her (affectionately) crazy enough that everyone else just accepts it as normal.
- Getting jealous of a Zanpakto and wishing to be soothed by Yoruichi everyday. And it's not just a slight jealously, what Sui-feng felt was an intense envy.
- Yoruichi's taijustu is stronger than her her Zanpakto, hence she doesn't use it. And her Zanpakto is unhappy, so Yoruichi has to sooth it daily.
- Tokinada, Yoruichi and Sui-feng are being attacked by assassins. The previous translation made it look like Sui-feng and Yoruichi were attacking/assassinating Tokinada. Instead, it is the three fighting together.
Also, there are pages for the novels and the characters now and in severe need of love, if anyone is interested. Is anyone actually still interested in the novels in general?
I'm reading them. Well, at least volume 2 since it's the only one legally available for free. I started chapter 11 now, so it seems like I'm about to catch up with the real translations. I guess I could help with the pages once I get past the properly translated parts. I won't do anything before it so I won't get spoilers, of course (since I assume no one actually adds content based on machine translations).
Tsukishima Vs Byakuya was good (aside from the vagueness of Tsukishima's ability) and was a nice character moment for Byakuya.
Rukia was pretty even despite Rukia clearly beyond Riruka though. The first part is a joke, but Riruka is able to deny Rukia most of her advantages by stuffing her in a doll. I wish it'd been a bit more serious, but that's mostly because Rukia is pretty lacking in fights.
Ikkaku got pretty messed up physically, I do think that was a good fight. But you could easily swap in Renji there, given that his fight with Jackie was a really cool moment for him, but kind of anticlimactic. Having Chad fight Jackie in a more even fight would feel pretty appropriate - LEGS VS ARMS
I'd probably drop Ikkaku, maaaybe Kenpachi or Toshiro (not both). Neither of their fights were good, even though I liked Giriko getting linked for trying to match Kenpachi in raw strength I still think we should have seen him fight with his 'normal' style. Yukio's fight wasn't so bad, it was nice to see Hitsugaya keep his cool while Yukio's was all nutso, but a better application (and clearer limitations) on his powers would be good.
I could see Inoue tagging in for either of those fights, though I don't think it's necessary for her to fight. Actually, her teaming up with Kenpachi could be pretty fun.
Edited by Saiga on Mar 21st 2019 at 10:12:40 PM
Well, if we're being pedantic, he rewrote memories and then reality just sort of altered itself to conform to what it "remembered". Which was hilarious, but also cool.
Anyway, I just read the last volume and it was pretty fun. One of the benefits of serialization is that things just flow better when you don't have to wait a week between readings.
But that ending of the last chapter still seems like obvious spin-off bait, so that's weird.
Edited by LSBK on Mar 25th 2019 at 12:40:13 PM
The biggest 'what the' moment was rewriting memories to create a physical trap for Byakuya which would be nuts. But that could just be something he can do in Yukio's game world.
I really need to get the final volumes. I'd been waiting for the last volume to come out so I could order them online but then forgot about it with moving and study going on.
Edited by Saiga on Mar 26th 2019 at 4:03:59 AM
Tsukishima’s powers are weird.
Instead of just implanting fake memories those fake memeories can actually effect your physical being because he’s essentially controlling your personal history.
At least that’s what I’m getting by him controlling environment. So would that mean if he changes your memories to have you lose an arm you would actually lose an arms?
Edited by slimcoder on Mar 25th 2019 at 11:02:27 AM
"I am Alpharius. This is a lie."

Wow. Bleach is still continuing in some form.
I'm being bombarded with info with those new novels.
Guess I should read up.
Also that live action opening is ace.