Cave of Bitter Tears

To the Abyss!
Hōōden...

Raian remembered it well. Despite its appearance as small shack, it contained a massive underground expanse of rooms. The most important, though, was the Kōruihora, an underground training room completely cloaked in darkness. Ōetsu Nimaiya stood at the entrance of the Hōōden, looking down on Raian from above, light pouring into the room from the doorway.

"No more excuses," Ōetsu was saying. "Without Shukai, you aren't beating Akujin. No way."

"What do you know of Shukai?" Raian asked, narrowing his eyes against the bright light.

"I invented it." Ōetsu countered. "And I know how to help you get it. But first..."

Ōetsu waved his hand across the opened, dark expanse of a room. In an instant, Raian's Zanpakutō flew from its sheathe into the short Shinigami's hands, drawing a shocked expression from Raian. Ōetsu examined the blades of Raian's Zanpakutō carefully before continuing.

"Hmm..." Ōetsu continued. "This sword is well loved."

In one massive movement, Ōetsu slammed both swords together, smashing them into shards, leaving only the handles and guards. Raian's eyes widened tremendously, leaving him speechless. He couldn't believe the man had just effortlessly shattered his Zanpakutō right before his eyes.

"Yeah," Ōetsu grunted. "It took a lot of reiatsu to smash the blades. You two are tight. Don't worry. It wasn't in Bankai, it can be repaired."

"Are you crazy?!" Raian roared. "How can I learn Shukai without a Zanpakutō?!"

Ōetsu glared down at Raian through his sunglasses, "Do Bankai." he stated simply.

"Do...?!" Raian began.

"You heard me," Ōetsu cut him off. "Do your Bankai. You used to live here. You should know this place is special. Now, hurry up."

Raian looked down and began to focus his spiritual pressure. He was convinced Ōetsu was crazy, but decided to humor the elder Shinigami's antics. Surprisingly, the familiar feeling of his Bankai's power began to well up from within him; something he had not expected, given the state of his Zanpakutō's sealed form at the moment.

"Bankai!!" Raian declared, "Split Finely..."

A shadow began to rise up behind Raian, taking the form of a small young man with long brown hair. As the spirit formed in the real world, Raian felt the immense power of his Bankai leaving his body to animate the shadow, leaving him feeling rather winded and fatigued.

"You're...!" Raian began, upon seeing the shadow's form.

"Yeah," the boy replied. "I'm Shiseikaze Fūshin. Your Bankai."