Chapter 864: Chapter 865: Take You to See a Treasure

After slicing the last Hollow into pieces, Ethan sheathed his sword with a flourish.

The Zanpakuto has a very convenient ability. When drawn, the scabbard automatically dissolves into spirit particles, preventing it from hanging at the waist and interfering with combat.

When the sword is sheathed, the scabbard automatically reappears at the perfect moment, creating the illusion that it was always hanging at the waist.

Although it was uncertain whether Ethan’s sword should truly be considered a Zanpakuto, it possessed all the basic abilities of one.

Seeing that there were no more Hollows around, Shiba Isshin also sheathed his Zanpakuto. He then looked at his two companions lying in the flowerbed and wondered whether he should withdraw.

The Second Division members had gone after the culprit. That was originally their responsibility. He had followed mainly out of concern for his two Tenth Division teammates. Now that he had found them and they were injured, it seemed he should take them and leave.

After asking Ethan what he planned to do, the answer he received was that Ethan intended to stay.

"My mission is to ensure that our injured personnel receive timely treatment while the Second Division is carrying out the arrest. Therefore, I cannot leave."

Isshin nodded. That was reasonable. Although Ethan was alone here, if any Second Division members were injured, they could quickly return and receive treatment.

If Ethan left with him and casualties occurred because the injured did not receive treatment in time, the responsibility would be significant.

Should he leave Ethan here and go alone? He was not worried about Ethan being in danger. This Fourth Division seat officer had just proven that his combat ability was no less than that of seat officers from other combat divisions and that he had sufficient means of self protection.

However, carrying two people by himself would be exhausting. He had also been injured earlier and was not in great condition, so he could only stay and wait for the Second Division with Ethan.

Fortunately, Yoruichi was very efficient. She returned quickly with the culprit, and no one was injured, which meant Ethan’s task was essentially complete.

"That was fast."

"Can’t let a medical officer like you outdo me."

She looked around. From the marks on the ground alone, she could tell that the Hollows had not caused Ethan any trouble. The surroundings were completely intact, nothing like the aftermath of a fierce battle.

Moreover, Ethan stood there without a drop of sweat on his forehead, clearly having handled the Hollows with ease.

She was not surprised. She had long known about his strength. However, the other Second Division members glanced at him a few more times. Although they had heard that the Fourth Division had a capable seat officer, rumors could only be trusted so much. They had not believed his strength was truly impressive.

Only now did they realize the rumors were not exaggerated. They also understood why their captain had confidently ordered them to continue the pursuit. She knew he could handle those Hollows.

"The mission is complete. Let’s report back. Then we’ll go drinking to celebrate."

Ethan did not comment. For some reason, he was pretending to be low key. Unfortunately, after returning to the Seireitei and reporting the mission, just as the temporary team disbanded and he prepared to leave, he had not even turned around before Yoruichi grabbed his shoulder.

"We agreed to go drinking. Where do you think you’re going?"

Although her eyes were curved in a cheerful smile, Ethan was not fooled.

"I suddenly remembered I have work to take care of. I’m afraid I can’t join you for drinks."

"Sword practice with Captain Unohana? I’m sure Captain Unohana has already finished by now."

He looked up at the sun. The setting sun was already touching the horizon. It was time to wrap up work and prepare for dinner.

"Probably not?"

Feeling her grip tighten as if she wanted to crush his shoulder, Ethan decisively changed his answer. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

"Missing one session won’t matter."

She nodded in satisfaction and led the way, taking him to the izakaya they often visited.

Drinks and snacks were quickly served. Ethan looked at her as she kept scrutinizing him from across the table and simply spread his hands.

"Just ask whatever you want."

"What’s going on with your Zanpakuto?"

She had wanted to ask for a long time, but with others present earlier, she had suppressed her curiosity.

As for the other people in the tavern, they were either drinking alone and lost in thought or drinking with colleagues and complaining about their troubles. No one paid attention to the two young Shinigami in the corner.

"It’s just the ability of my Zanpakuto."

She narrowed her eyes and examined him for a long moment before tilting her head suspiciously.

"When you knocked me down that time, did you use something else?"

The Soul Society was not entirely made up of people who relied solely on Zanpakuto. With Kisuke around, she could easily imagine strange devices or inventions.

"You enjoy tinkering with those things too?"

She herself liked experimenting with various things. Otherwise, she would not have ended up spending so much time with Kisuke. In the future, she would even work with him to excavate a secret underground space in the Soul Society and build a hot spring capable of healing injuries.

"No, it’s just my Zanpakuto’s ability."

Ethan had little interest in inventing things. He rarely got involved when Urahara worked on his projects in his spare time.

"Completely different abilities?"

"Not exactly. They’re just extended applications of the same ability."

He thought for a moment. This explanation would seem less unusual and be easier for the Shinigami to accept.

After hearing this, she no longer found it strange. She only wondered what the true ability of his Zanpakuto was that could produce such effects.

Since she did not press further, he did not elaborate, sparing himself the trouble of making up details.

"So things like ’Sad Glee Breeze’ and ’Blooming Flowers’ are just technique names, not your Zanpakuto’s true name, right?"

"No."

There was nothing to deny. Those names had been made up on the spot. Fortunately, she did not ask for the true name of his Zanpakuto, otherwise he would not have known how to answer.

"I think your Zanpakuto is quite interesting."

"..."

A Zanpakuto could be described as interesting? He looked at her speechlessly, but she ignored his gaze and continued staring at her cup, poking the radish on her plate with her chopsticks.

"The radish is innocent."

She glanced at him and then stuffed the poorly treated radish into her mouth.

"I’ve been thinking about something."

"What is it?"

"I feel like my Zanpakuto is becoming more and more unnecessary. So I want to focus on training Hakuda, Shunpo, and Kidō."

Ethan paused. Did she intend to completely abandon her Zanpakuto?

Such a situation was extremely rare in the Soul Society, almost unheard of. At the same time, he finally understood why in the future she never used her Zanpakuto or even carried a sword. She had given up on it long ago. The official explanation was that she felt her Zanpakuto’s appeal was fading, so she stopped using it.

"Well..."

According to the common view in the Soul Society, the Zanpakuto was extremely important. Shikai and Bankai were regarded as the proper path to increasing a Shinigami’s strength.

So her idea was unconventional. Even she, usually carefree, could not decide so easily.

"Do you also think my idea is crazy?"

She had only discussed it with a few people. Besides Urahara, everyone else thought she had lost her mind.

"Not exactly."

She looked up, eyes wide, as if trying to determine whether he was just humoring her.

"If you want to do it, then do it."

For Ethan, nothing was more important than being content with one’s path. If she found her Zanpakuto uninteresting and did not want to continue down that road, then she should not. With her talent and strength, she would not be weak even without relying on a Zanpakuto.

"You’re not worried that after giving it up, I won’t be able to improve further, or even become the captain of the Second Division?"

"Becoming the captain of the Second Division isn’t that difficult."

She stared at him for a while, then suddenly burst into laughter and slapped the table.

"I just love how confident you are, even when that confidence makes no sense."

"..."

He felt the second half of that comment was unnecessary, but he was glad to see her back to normal. She suited her usual carefree self far more than a conflicted and hesitant state.

However, her next words made his expression fall.

"To prove my choice isn’t wrong, I’ve decided you’ll be my number one sparring partner from now on."

"What does that have to do with me?"

"Because your support strengthened my resolve to abandon my Zanpakuto. If I don’t grow stronger after giving it up, you’ll share the responsibility."

He stared at her in disbelief, but she ignored his expression. Instead, she picked up the sake bottle, leaned forward to pour him a drink, and whispered mysteriously,

"After we finish drinking, I’ll take you to see something good."

(To be continued.)