Orihime's Zanpakuto

Orihime took out the short sword and drew it from its sheath. It was a beautiful weapon, but she had no knowledge of weaponry so she wasn't sure of its quality. However, since it was a gift from Yuroichi, it must be good stuff.

"Since you plan on becoming a Soul Reaper, I expect you also plan to awaken a Zanpakuto. This is a Zanpakuto without a name. The academy loans these out in their standard form to new students. However, it is best to train with the nameless Zanpakuto as early as possible in order to imprint your soul essence into it.

The letter on the other hand, is a recommendation from the Shihoin Family Head for the one named Orihime Inoue. This will let you enter the Spirit Arts academy without any issue. Rescuing Rukia is going against the law. Although the Shihoin family is one of the four great families, we can't ignore Central 46.

Are you sure you still want to be a part of this operation? You may never be able to become a Soul Reaper if you do this."

Orihime knew what was going to happen in Soul Society. Central 46 was already dead. Aizen has been in control of them this whole time. The main groups invasion of Soul Society is, at first, very bad for us. However, once Aizen's plot is discovered, the invaders become the saviors instead.

Not only that, she knew of a few important events during the Soul Society arc that will make her life as a Soul Reaper much easier. Firstly, Captain Toshiro Hitsugaya had a very close relationship with his childhood friend, Momo Hinamori.

If Orihime could rescue Momo when Aizen tried to kill her, she would win a huge favor from Toshiro. A favor from a Captain would go a long way in her goal of joining the Gotei 13. The other captain was obviously Kenpachi Zaraki. He became good friends with the main party because Ichigo beat him in a fight.

There was also Shunsui Kyoraku, currently the second strongest person in Soul Society and also a lover of beautiful woman. He has a laid-back attitude and is generally more accepting of bending rules.

Jushiro Ukitake should also look at her favorable because of the whole rescue Rukia operation; Rukia being his squad member and having a good relationship.

With all of these things protecting her future, and the fact she needed to be there, to ensure everything went according to the plot; She naturally replied with a nod.

"I have to go. She's my friend and saving Rukia is important to Ichigo, so naturally it will be important to me."

"Good. I'm glad I didn't misplace my faith in you. The reason I gave you that Zanpakuto was to teach you my sword technique, which utilizes a shorter blade. The other reason…" She looked at Orihime holding the Zanpakuto. It was then that Orihime realized the implication.

"How am I holding it?"

"It seems Urahara's conjecture was correct. You are already able to hold a Zanpakuto, which means you are taking on attributes of a soul form."

"Wait, you said you'll teach me sword fighting?"

"That's right. There are thirteen days of training ahead of you. I noticed yesterday that your body is just too weak to keep up with your Reiatsu. This is the weakness of not being in soul form."

Yoruichi took out two wristbands and to ankle bands, handing them to Orihime.

"These are spiritual power suppressing wristbands. The ankle bands employ a Kido to increase the gravity you feel on your body. For the duration of your training, you will have these on twenty-four hours a day."

Orihime was super excited at this spartan training. Not only does she get to learn sword techniques, but she was certain to pick up some Hakudo techniques. Once her body was strengthened the fusion process will continue.

'Time for some gains.'

She immediately put on the weights and suppression bands. The world suddenly turned upside down. The sudden loss of her Reiatsu and increase in weight caused her to lose balance. She didn't know the exact increase in gravity, but it was certainly more than double.

'Should've brought orange martial arts clothes for gravity training...'

"Quit messing around, let's go."

Orihime smiled wryly and pulled herself up. She was already sweating from the strain. Dragging herself towards the ladder, she realized how scary the situation was. She carefully climbed down one rung at a time.

Once at the bottom, she redid her waist strap and hung the Zanpakuto at her side. They walked a bit until they reached a more isolated location. On the way, they walked past the huge hole that Ichigo was currently being held in to regain his Soul Reaper powers.

She wanted to encourage him but Urahara came over and got her attention.

"Well, well, well, aren't you looking more and more like a Soul Reaper."

"Thank you for taking care of me, Mr. Urahara."

She then leaned in close and covered her mouth at one side.

"Tell me the truth, you love Miss Yoruichi, right?"

This was a question that many of her fans asked. Now that she had a reason to know Yoruichi was actually a beauty, she needed to find out from Urahara. She did not expect this intelligent and calculating person to be completely lost for words.

"Ah, its okay Mr. Urahara, I understand. I'll ask Yoruichi."

As she walked away to continue following Yoruichi, Urahara blocked her.

"Let's not be rash here, Orihime. What do you want?"

Although he was caught off guard, he recognized the subtle threat. Naturally, he already figured out that she needed something.

"I just don't want you to regret anything. The future is uncertain, Kisuke. Since I consider Yoruichi my master, I want the best for her."

Her tone was cheerful and nonthreatening. Urahara wasn't upset at the way she spoke to him, but it did make him consider something.

The two of them grew up together and she even left her home when Urahara was exiled, choosing to stay with him. Seeing that Urahara was deep in thought, she caught up with Yoruichi.

"What did you say to stump him like that?"

"Master Yuroichi, why do you follow Urahara?

Yuroichi only smiled and did not respond. She got into a combat stance and beckoned Orihime over. Orihime drew the short sword from her side and tried to make use of what little sword fighting she knew. The result was not pretty.

Orihime was on her knees panting heavily. They had only fought for a measly three minutes before she lost all her strength. Her body was in dire need of conditioning.

"Okay, we'll take a break. After you rest for five minutes, run ten laps around the cave."

Orihime remembered something and stood up. She thought she remembered somewhere it was bad for the body to rest while sitting like that.

After five minutes she began to run. The day went on and finished exactly in that manner.

'Hogyoku can I see how much I've improved?'

[Calculating…

Physical Power: 3.1

Spiritual Power: 16

Imprinting: 1%

Fusion Process: 50%

Dormancy: 99.3%]

'You can track the Zanpakuto too? That's great. However, I'm still too weak right now. Ichigo should shoot up to fifth seat level Reiatsu upon entering Soul Society. Once he's beaten up a few times he'll quickly climb too.

Okay! Let's make the most of my time. I'm confident in all of the first-year information, let's get cracking on second-year information.'

All the Spirit Arts academy information had been collected previously, just held back by the hogyoku. Once she was ready, it released the requested content.

Now that she was at an important threshold of fusion, her mind's capacity for learning was increased quite a lot. Even though the material for the second-year was a lot more complex, she was able to take it all in, in one sitting.

However, this did not mean she understood or was able to apply it yet. It will take some time to process and apply the knowledge. The most important thing is the lessons on sword fighting.

When she went to the guest room Urahara directed her to, she saw Yoruichi in cat form there as well. Yoruichi didn't react when Orihime entered, so she assumed Yoruichi was asleep.

Orihime thought about how things had been going so far. Knowing how smart the UraYoru couple was, they should have their own opinions about her. The reason they kept helping her was most likely due to Urahara realizing the significance of a second wild card.

'He really just wants to shake up the Soul Society even more. Having someone like me directly infiltrate the Gotei 13? One could argue that I am his greatest invention. Without the hogyoku, I wouldn't exist in this universe.'

[Confirmed.]

'… Did you just make a joke?'

However, it did not respond that time. Orihime knew that the hogyoku was sentient and had a will of its own. But she never expected it to act so… human.