Trader In The World Of Pirates!!!

Watching the teachers charge toward the Menos Grande as if facing certain death, Rukia's vision suddenly blurred. 

The sight of the teachers risking their lives to protect the students struck a chord deep within her heart. 

In that moment— 

A blue flame ignited within her chest. It quickly transformed into a wave of invisible energy that surged throughout her entire body. 

Yet, something strange occurred... 

The more this mysterious energy spread, the colder Rukia felt. 

Soon, it was as if her entire body had been encased in a glacier, frozen and immobilized. 

Even the act of blinking seemed like an impossible dream. 

'What's happening to me?' 

Rukia's thoughts remained active, her consciousness fully intact. 

Despite the bizarre situation, there was no panic in her heart.

In fact, her mind felt calmer than ever, serene like an eternal glacier. 

Suddenly— 

Rukia, trapped in this unusual state, felt her vision shift. 

Time itself seemed to stop. 

In her frozen gaze, the teachers battling the Menos, Renji and Kira calling out to her—everything appeared suspended, as if encased in ice. 

Then, crystalline frost began spreading from beneath her feet, enveloping the entire world in an instant. 

Within the blink of an eye, Rukia found herself in a mysterious, frozen realm. 

"Where… am I?" 

She looked around, confused, but all she could see was an endless expanse of blue ice. 

Just as disorientation threatened to take over, a voice—soft and ethereal—resonated in her ears. 

"Ru~ki~a… Ru~ki~a…" 

The sound was distant yet profound, echoing as though it came from the depths of her very soul. 

Drawn by the mysterious call, Rukia began walking toward its source without hesitation.

In this frozen world, time seemed meaningless. 

Every step she took left no mark, as the ice beneath her feet seamlessly returned to its original state, as though she had never been there. 

After what felt like an eternity of walking, a soft, blue light appeared in the distance. 

It shimmered like sunlight breaking through the cold ice, casting a warm glow that bathed Rukia's face. 

"Rukia…" 

As the light faded, a massive icicle emerged before her. 

The surface of the icicle was cracked in places, though not severely. 

What shocked Rukia most, however, was the figure encased within the ice. 

It was a woman—someone who bore a striking resemblance to Rukia herself. 

But unlike Rukia, this woman exuded an aura of maturity. 

She wore a simple yet elegant kimono and had short, snow-white hair adorned with delicate butterfly-shaped ornaments crafted from ice crystals. 

"Was it… you who called me?" 

Rukia's voice broke the silence as she gazed curiously at the figure frozen within the ice. 

In that moment, she realized where she must be. 

Rukia's sharp intellect, nurtured by her flawless academic record and the guidance of the Kuchiki family and her kendo instructors, led her to an inescapable conclusion. 

This was her inner world. 

And the woman before her was the embodiment of her Zanpakutō. 

As if to confirm her thoughts, the instant Rukia spoke, a steady, mature voice echoed within her mind. 

"It was I, Rukia…" 

The voice was ethereal yet unmistakably clear, reverberating with an almost divine resonance. 

A surge of joy filled Rukia's heart. 

Her studies had taught her that this moment marked the beginning of her bond with her Zanpakutō. 

Soon, she would learn its name and the secrets it held, taking her first step toward awakening its power. 

However...

Things did not unfold as Rukia had anticipated.

Before she could speak again, a sigh resonated in her mind:

"Rukia, you... should not have come here so soon."

"Huh? What do you mean—?"

Rukia's lips parted slightly in confusion, but the voice continued, disregarding her question:

"Your power is too dangerous. If mishandled, it could lead you into the abyss of calamity."

"Before you were ready, I had hoped to avoid meeting you... but the overwhelming nature of your newfound power has forced my hand. It has expanded your heart beyond measure, compelling me to appear before you."

Crack.

As the voice fell silent, a sharp and audible crack spread across the enormous icicle, as if to echo the speaker's words.

And then—

The voice sighed again, this time laced with a hint of sorrowful pleading:

"Rukia, are you certain of this? Do you truly understand what lies ahead?"

"Are you prepared to embrace the risk—even if it means facing death—to free me?"

"You must realize... your power may not bring the salvation you expect."

"My power..."

The voice's plea made Rukia lower her gaze to her hands.

She could still feel the lingering warmth from Renji's hand, which had pulled her along moments earlier.

But deep down, Rukia knew the truth.

The three teachers would not last much longer under the relentless onslaught of the two Menos Grande.

At any moment, their defense could shatter, bringing death and destruction to her classmates.

And who could guarantee that the first target wouldn't be Renji? Or Kira? Or herself?

So—

She needed power.

No, she had to have power!

Rukia raised her head abruptly, her gaze resolute. Her pupils flared with an azure blaze that seemed to radiate outward, consuming her hesitation.

CRACK!

Another massive fissure splintered the icicle from top to bottom, as though the entire structure were about to shatter, releasing the figure trapped within.

"I'm sure of it!" Rukia declared, her voice unwavering.

"Even if it leads me to an eternal abyss, I must—"

"I must control my power!"

As she spoke, she thrust her hands into the cracks of the icicle.

Her fingers dug deep into the icy surface, and she pushed with all her might.

Muscles strained as she let out a determined roar:

"Come out!!!"

BOOM!!!

A deafening sound echoed across the frozen expanse.

A dark fissure split the icicle, extending outward until it reached the limits of the world.

It was as though a divine force had struck with unparalleled strength, cleaving the entire realm in two.

From the depths of the chasm, an unrelenting surge of frost and cold erupted, blanketing the world in a pure, blinding white.

Before Rukia stood the spirit of her Zanpakutō, released from its icy prison.

Suspended mid-air, the spirit emanated a cold so intense that it seemed to freeze the very fabric of the world.

The frost did not spare its owner, encasing Rukia entirely in a thick layer of ice.

After some time, the Zanpakutō spirit slowly opened her eyes.

She gazed at Rukia, who remained frozen yet valiantly struggling to move her fingers, and her expression softened with a mix of anguish and tenderness.

"Rukia," the spirit spoke, her voice heavy with meaning.

"I hope you will one day master your power."

Then, without warning, she stepped forward and embraced Rukia.

A surge of abyssal cold exploded outward, extinguishing every remaining fragment of warmth within Rukia's body.

In that moment, the frozen world fell silent.

No sound.

No movement.

Only a single image remained—a figure resembling a mother cradling her child, standing solemnly at the heart of the glacial realm.

Time, long stagnant, began to flow once more.

No one could say how long the stillness endured.

But just as the encroaching darkness threatened to consume everything—

A brilliant blue light pierced through the gloom, radiating from the center of the frozen world.

From within the glow, Rukia's voice rang out, defiant and unyielding:

"I—"

"I won't give up so easily!"

Crack!

A spark of fire ignited, banishing the icy silence.

However, the flames did not bring any warmth to the frozen world. 

Instead, an even colder yet fiercely resolute aura surged from Rukia's body, erupting like a tidal wave and rebounding toward the sword spirit. 

In an instant, the lifeless white world was engulfed in azure flames. 

Strangely, the flames did not consume or melt the frost. Instead, they hovered above the icy surface, neither displacing it nor coexisting uneasily—rather, they formed a protective veil around the pale, frosted realm. 

"Rukia..." 

The sword spirit's eyes widened in astonishment. 

Her form, now surrounded by the mysterious blue flames, exuded a mixture of disbelief and awe as she stared at Rukia. 

Rukia, who had regained her composure, lifted her head. A cute yet determined smile graced her face as she said, 

"It seems the power of this world is far greater than we ever imagined..." 

"Perhaps... this is the true nature of our strength." 

The shock gradually faded from the spirit's expression, replaced by a warm and relieved smile. 

"Go forth and fight, Rukia!" the sword spirit declared. 

"Remember my name—Sode no Shirayuki!" 

"And the name of my power—" 

"Hakka no Togame (White Haze Punishment)!" 

As Sode no Shirayuki spoke, the frozen world trembled once again. 

But this time, the cold did not lash out. Instead, it seemed to stretch its icy arms toward the flames in a willing embrace. 

Suddenly, frost and fire intertwined, merging into a single powerful force that coursed into Rukia's body. 

Bathed in this immense torrent of energy, the glacial world around her began to fade, revealing the battlefield outside. 

Time resumed its flow. 

"Hey, Rukia! What are you doing?!" 

Renji's voice rang in her ears, sharp and worried. 

Reaching out, he attempted to pull Rukia away once more. 

But as his hand neared her, an icy chill radiated from her body, piercing through his palm like a blade. He recoiled, shivering. 

"W-What's happening...?" 

Renji's teeth chattered, his voice trembling with confusion and fear. 

Rukia, now fully awake, turned her head toward him. Her gaze was soft yet serene, her expression calm. 

With a gentle smile, she said, 

"Renji, Kira—you two should leave. Get to safety." 

"What?! What are you planning, Rukia?" 

"This isn't the time to play hero!" 

Kira, noticing something strange about her demeanor, shouted anxiously. 

To him, lingering on the battlefield was foolish, wasting the precious opportunity their teachers had fought to give them. 

But Rukia's demeanor remained unshaken. Her usual impatience had vanished, replaced by a quiet determination. 

A chilling aura began to seep from her body, and the sword at her waist hummed softly, as if eager for the battle ahead. 

In a voice as calm and cold as ice, Rukia replied: 

"It's going to get dangerous here soon..." 

"That's why you and Renji should leave—immediately." 

Her tone left no room for argument. 

Without sparing another glance at her friends, she turned and began walking toward the heart of the battlefield. 

"Rukia! Wait!" 

Kira's voice cracked with desperation as he stretched out a hand to stop her. 

But before he could act, Renji grabbed his arm. 

"Enough, Kira," Renji said firmly. 

His gaze remained fixed on Rukia's retreating figure. 

"I think she knows what she's doing. Let's go—we shouldn't interfere." 

"What?! Renji, are you serious?" 

Kira's protest faltered as he met Renji's eyes. The somber determination and restrained sorrow within them silenced him. 

"...Fine." 

After a brief moment of hesitation, Kira reluctantly nodded. Together, he and Renji began retreating, putting as much distance as possible between themselves and the battle. 

As they ran, Kira thought he heard Renji murmur something under his breath: 

"I've fallen too far behind..." 

On the battlefield. 

Rukia watched as Renji and Kira disappeared into the distance. A warm, contented smile crossed her face, brighter and more resolute than before. 

She stepped forward. 

With a single motion, an explosive burst of spiritual pressure erupted beneath her feet, shattering the surrounding particles and propelling her skyward. 

"Teacher!" 

Rukia's voice rang out, sharp and urgent, as she called to the figures in front of her. 

The three teachers, startled by her cry, quickly turned to look back. 

"Rukia!? Why are you here!?" one of them shouted in alarm. 

But Rukia's gaze was not on them. Her eyes were fixed past the teachers, locked onto the two Gillians looming ominously in the sky. 

She murmured softly, almost to herself, 

"With the strength of the teachers, they should be fine." 

Without hesitation, she unsheathed the blade at her waist. Holding it steady, she rotated her wrist, angling the blade downward. 

A glimmer of azure flame flashed briefly in her eyes as she whispered, 

"Let's dance, Sode no Shirayuki." 

In that instant, it was as though magic had been unleashed. 

The sword in her hand began to transform. 

Its blade turned pure white, its pristine surface gleaming. A delicate, elegant ribbon of white materialized and began to swirl gracefully around her. 

The weapon exuded an aura of icy clarity, its beauty striking and ethereal. 

This was no ordinary blade—this was Sode no Shirayuki, Rukia's Zanpakutō. 

"Rukia, you..." 

The three teachers stared at the transformed Zanpakutō in shock. 

They exchanged incredulous looks, their expressions filled with a mixture of awe and disbelief. 

To think... 

It had only been three months since Rukia had joined the Shin'ō Academy. 

Yet, in this short time, she had already unlocked her Zanpakutō—a feat so extraordinary it would place her among the most gifted Shinigami in Seireitei's history. 

But their astonishment quickly gave way to fear.

"Rukia! Get out of here immediately!" the teacher who had first shouted now roared in panic. 

"This battlefield isn't one you can handle! You've barely begun to understand your power!" 

"You're a genius—a prodigy like no other! You have to survive! Protect yourself, so that one day, when you've grown stronger, you can avenge us!" 

His voice cracked under the weight of emotion, turning hoarse with desperation. Tears slipped unbidden down his cheeks. 

Facing death was no easy feat. 

Yet, if their sacrifice could preserve Rukia—a beacon of hope for Seireitei—then it would not be in vain. 

Perhaps it was their selflessness, their determination to shield her, that had ignited the strength sleeping within Rukia. 

Perhaps it was their unwavering resolve that had given her the power to stand here now. 

Hearing the teacher's plea, Rukia's lips curved into a faint smile. Her voice was calm and unhurried as she replied: 

"Revenge?" 

"I'm not sure I can be bothered with something that troublesome." 

She took a step forward, her Zanpakutō glowing faintly in her grasp, and positioned herself in front of the three teachers, placing herself between them and the Gillians. 

Her voice reached them again, resolute and unwavering: 

"It's better this way..." 

"I'll take revenge today." 

The three teachers could only watch in stunned silence as Rukia raised Sode no Shirayuki high. 

Turning to face the two towering Gillians, she cried out with unshakable determination: 

"Reveal your true power!" 

"Bankai—Hakka no Togame!" 

[Note: Watch the video, it's beautifully animated. (Bleach: TYBW Chapter 19 20:00 minutes.) Or https://youtu.be/j93vc-RUEJw?si=cmyyln4azEGr3vpw ]