Final Test?

"Alright, that's enough here. Since the test is over, your final test will be with Oetsu. Don't let his appearance and attitude fool you. Out of all of the Royal Guards, he's the least predictable and most volatile. You must be cautious and take care of yourself. Many who go to him die."

Orihime knew a bit about Oetsu and could guess what the last test was. The man invented the Zanpakuto. Senjumaru led Orihime outside and Oetsu was already waiting. He put a hand on Orihime's shoulder and used Shunpo to take them to his place. They arrived at a huge cliff with an ocean underneath it. At the tip of the cliff was a large forge.

"I didn't wish for you to make it this far. I'm afraid you can't pass my test. Your Zanpakuto is not a real Zanpakuto. I personally created every Asauchi that composes the Zanpakuto and can sense them at all times. Your Asauchi was once there, but along the way, something devoured it and took over.

If you attempt to take my test, the wrath of the Asauchi will lead you to death. I hoped you would fail earlier so it would not come to this. If you had returned to the Seireitei without meeting me again, I would have let it be. However, exile is your only option now. You cannot be a Soul Reaper without a Zanpakuto. However, you're too powerful to be amongst the humans…"

Orihime was still processing what he just said when she felt the sharp killing intent. She knew it was pointless to block his sword so she did a few backflips to get out of the way. A lock of hair was cut off and landed on the ground where she stood. However, he wasn't finished. He followed up his attack with another slash aimed at bisecting her.

Orihime had to retreat again, but realized that Oetsu was leading her to the edge of the cliff. Eventually, she wouldn't be able to retreat anymore. Therefore, she decided to fight back. She released the torrent of Reiatsu buried deep with her and it caused the world to shake. She had already reached the level of the Royal Guards from the previous two tests. She began to unload Kido on him.

The beams and explosions shot out at him like a machine gun. Whenever he would get close, she would redirect his attack with various techniques and a lot of Reiatsu. In a battle of attrition, she was certainly at a disadvantage. She was scared to draw her Zanpakuto because of what he said. There was a seed of doubt and fear that began growing in the back of her mind.

A few minutes into the fight, Orihime's eyes went wide. She had dedicated the hogyoku to solve the seal Tenjiro put on her. It was tenacious and did not wear off even after leaving the bath house. However, with her knowledge and the hogyoku, she was able to figure it out. She immediately released the seal and switched her fighting style. Shunko was immediately activated and her body was covered in a dense layer of black lightning.

This lightning wasn't normal. It was a combination of gravitational force and kinetic energy. Using this power was extremely taxing on her life force, but her other power reverted the drain. Therefore, she could enter this state of extreme acceleration without any repercussions. She moved so quickly, a hole in space was opened where she stood. It wasn't long until the world repaired itself, but it was a testament to how shocking her speed was.

However, Oetsu seemed unphased. He continued to throw out attacks that would main or grievously wound Orihime. However, every wound he created would be rejected and restored to its normal state. Orihime began to gain confidence in her power and continued the onslaught. After a while, she realized she wasn't gaining any ground against him. Oetsu seemed to be going easy on her. Just as the thought came to be, he landed a perfect attack that would decapitate her.

She managed to throw her arm in the way, causing it to be dismembered. She moved next to it and reattached it. Orihime began to doubt her speed and ability completely now. Her mind was turning and turning but she couldn't figure out a way out of this situation. Oetsu was someone that could open portals anywhere, so he could easily follow her. She mused activating her Quincy power, but it was too underdeveloped.

Using her bankai frightened her to the core. Something about Oetsu's gaze and words made her distrust her own Zanpakuto and Soul Reaper powers. She didn't feel like a real Soul Reaper in front of him. Having no more avenues of success she considered begging for her life. However, before she could continue her internal monologue, the sword was a foot away from her neck. She couldn't decide whether or not to dodge, or sacrifice her arm again.

Orihime's mind moved automatically and something clicked in the threat of death. She drew her Zanpakuto in its sealed state and blocked his sword. Oetsu's sword was something forged personally by him. He considered it a failure because it was too sharp and too smooth that he could not put it in a sheath. A sword without a sheath isn't a sword, he would go to say. This split-second decision on the cusp of death received a surprised expression from Oetsu.

Orihime expected the cold embrace of death. She had faith in her Zanpakuto in the last second and was determined to block it. However, wishing can't save your life. While the hogyoku is a miracle worker, it probably can't save her this time. Her hands burned from the constant cutting of her nerves so she couldn't feel his attack. Regardless, she assumed it would slice through like butter. After a few seconds passed she opened her eyes realizing her mind was still active.

What she saw was her Zanpakuto held up to block in direct contact with the blade of Oetsu's Zanpakuto. However, it did not break or get cut through. After a minute of holding the striking pose, Oetsu pulled back his weapon and threw it back into the large vat of jelly-like substance. He walked away from Orihime toward the big house further down the hill.

"A Zanpakuto will not break for someone who loves the Zanpakuto. You passed the Test of Doubt, next will be Test of Forgiveness. Follow me."

Orihime practically peed herself when she heard what he said. He had been lying to her. This was all a test to test her confidence in her own powers. Or perhaps he was not lying, but saving herself with a Zanpakuto, his creation, changed his heart. Oetsu did not explain himself so she couldn't be certain of the answer. However, she was glad.

Somehow, she managed to get up after her legs gave out in relief. She followed Oetsu into the mansion and continued to keep up with him. The mansion was full of Zanpakuto that looked like beautiful women. They finally reached a large pit where the Asauchi were kept. Orihime gulped, not knowing what to expect.

"In order to pass the final test, you must receive the recognition and forgiveness of the Asauchi. Many Soul Reapers believe that the strongest form of a Zanpakuto is the bankai, however, this is untrue. The basic Zanpakuto, the Asauchi, is the strongest form. In this form, the Zanpakuto has an infinite number of possibilities. It can become anything. Well, in you go."

Oetsu didn't give Orihime a chance to react before kicking her into the pit. She was sitting on the cold floor of the pit. There was no light except for the small hole at the top where Oetsu was standing. Soon there would be endless Asauchi here to kill her. She didn't truly understand the extent of their hatred, until she felt their killing intent. She had invertedly killed one of their own and took the power.

Thinking back to some of the things Oetsu said, there were many loop holes. If hers wasn't a true Zanpakuto, why did he suggest it was at the end? However, she didn't have time to think of that, she needed to remember how to beat these things and get their recognition. It was super vague. Renji just let them stab him and he passed, however, Orihime was already stabbed several times and it didn't work. Ichigo failed after three consecutive days of beating them until his Reiatsu ran out.

He was eventually kicked out but then brought back in later after realizing his life was meaningless without Soul Reaper powers. Although his Zanpakuto was a sham, he was still accepted by them in the end. Orihime wondered if they could sense emotions through her bond with her sword. Speaking of, she never used the basic form much. Perhaps this was a clue to passing the test…

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Happy New Year! And for those still stuck in 2020, see ya next year!