2 Chapter 2: Ultra Instinct, Broken Zanpakutō!

"Ultra Instinct?" Su Li's astonishment was evident, his mind reeling from the revelation.

Never could he have imagined that the frog's very first journey would yield such a monumental treasure. Ultra Instinct, a pinnacle technique within the world of Dragon Ball, was now in his possession.

As one of the God's Royal Skills, even Beerus, the formidable God of Destruction, couldn't entirely master it. Ultra Instinct enabled the separation of body and consciousness, allowing for instantaneous responses akin to a reflex. The technique's swiftness and reactivity far exceeded any actions determined by conscious thought.

Just as Beerus had elucidated, "Thinking before reacting limits speed. But when each body part can individually judge and act, it becomes possible to evade any danger."

This went beyond mere reflexes; Ultra Instinct optimized both movement speed and reaction time. Where conventional responses took seconds, Ultra Instinct virtually eliminated any gaps.

The implications were staggering. Imagine being in battle, where your body could instantaneously react and counter even the swiftest and fiercest attacks. The augmentation of one's strength was beyond comprehension.

Without hesitation, Su Li delved into the wealth of knowledge within the crystal, absorbing its wisdom in a seamless torrent. After what seemed like an eternity, he opened his eyes, a resolute determination emanating from his gaze.

Stepping into the courtyard, he withdrew his Zanpakutō. Seizing a stone from the ground, he flung it with all his might.

Whoosh!

The stone shot forth like a lightning bolt.

Simultaneously, Su Li sprang into action. In the blink of an eye, he positioned himself in the stone's trajectory.

Without conscious thought, his body reacted.

Raising his hand and bringing his sword down in a seamless motion, the stone split cleanly in two.

There was no pause, no hesitation. Su Li's sword cleaved through the stone with effortless precision.

The two shattered stone fragments recoiled at incredible speed once again.

Whoosh!

Su Li's reaction was even quicker this time, his form becoming a fleeting blur.

The stones met the same fate, splitting into smaller fragments in a flawless repetition of his previous feat.

And so the cycle continued, the stone disintegrating further with each iteration, until it was reduced to mere particles. Yet, not a trace of dust adhered to Su Li's being.

An ecstatic smile played across Su Li's face. With Ultra Instinct at his disposal, he was equipped to counter any assault. Whether facing off against the lightning-swift "Flash Goddess Yoruichi" or Byakuya Kuchiki's overwhelming "Senbonzakura Kageyoshi," he was confident in his ability to evade their strikes. As long as his physical stamina endured, Ultra Instinct would remain his unyielding shield.

A fusion of offense and defense, an absolute prowess.

Lost in his triumphant thoughts, Su Li burst into laughter. The prospect of dominating the Shinigami realm felt less like a dream and more like an impending reality.

As if to mark his newfound mastery, Su Li's Zanpakutō resonated with him. A celebratory surge of energy coursed through the blade.

"Bang!"

In an unexpected twist, the Zanpakutō's hilt shattered, fragments clattering to the ground.

"What the...?!"

Utter disbelief etched Su Li's features. A wave of shock swept over him.

His realization dawned; the extreme force he exerted during his practice had exceeded his Zanpakutō's limits. It couldn't withstand the strain and had shattered as a result.

For the typical Shinigami, this might not be a colossal issue. Broken blades could be restored through communication with the soul within the Zanpakutō and the infusion of spiritual power.

However, the situation was far from ordinary for Su Li. He had yet to access his Zanpakutō's consciousness space, and the solution was far from straightforward. Su Li found himself in a predicament with no apparent remedy.

Despair tinged his thoughts. He felt like a helpless calf facing impending doom.

Hours later, a crestfallen Su Li gazed at his temporarily patched Zanpakutō, his demeanor marked by a despondent resignation. The makeshift repair was far from adequate, and he knew it wouldn't hold up.

As he contemplated his predicament, his inner turmoil remained unspoken.

Left without a Zanpakutō, a bleak thought occupied Su Li's mind: how would he fight in the future?

Kidō? He wasn't particularly adept at it.

"What's this mess..." he muttered, a note of resignation in his voice.

"Am I going to be the Soul Society's first bare-knuckle brawler?" Su Li mused with a bitter chuckle, his gaze shifting skyward. His Zanpakutō was gently returned to its sheath – now reduced to an ornamental piece.

It felt like a punchline in a cruel joke – the Soul Society's boxer.

He sighed, accepting the reality that his Zanpakutō was rendered useless and his options limited.

For the time being, his blade would remain sheathed, and his fists would do the talking. White Hits, his sword's sealed state, would need to make up for this void.

Su Li couldn't deny feeling a tinge of disappointment. Yet, with a year's worth of White Hits practice behind him and Ultra Instinct's new dimension of power, the transition might be smoother than he feared.

Turning his attention, he noticed the frog cub sprawled out on the steps. A mix of shock and concern welled up within him.

"Damn it! Is even the frog cub experiencing indigestion?" Su Li muttered under his breath, hurrying over to check.

Assured that the frog cub was merely fatigued and resting, he breathed a sigh of relief. He understood that the cub's long month of travel had earned it a rest period. The system's notification confirmed this – a five-day recuperation period was needed for every month of travel.

"Rest well, and I'll make sure to have more food ready when you wake up," Su Li softly assured the sleeping frog cub. He gently patted its belly before safely returning it to the system warehouse.

Standing up, determination alighted in his eyes. Zanpakutō or not, his resolve to train remained unyielding. His training had taken on a new facet, shifting from swordsmanship to the art of boxing.

Even with an extraordinary system at his disposal, Su Li acknowledged the truth: there was no substitute for diligent training.

This was the unchanging principle of the unyielding ruler, the king of resolute effort.

Talent, no matter how remarkable, couldn't flourish without the sweat of hard work.

To rise above all others in the Shinigami realm, Su Li recognized that he must strive harder than anyone else.

Only through this relentless pursuit of greatness could he hope to surpass all.

A gust of wind swept through the courtyard, its howl matching the intensity of the boy's practice. The day stretched on, the sun giving way to the moon, yet the boy's relentless training persisted.

...

Five days raced by, and before they knew it, the students of the Spiritual Arts Academy gathered for the much-anticipated graduation assessment. Excitement and anxiety buzzed through the air as the college's playground teemed with students.

This assessment held a dual significance. Not only was it the culmination of their academic journey, but it also served as the selection process for Gotei 13—the thirteen squads that formed the backbone of Soul Society.

As the members of Gotei 13 made their appearance on the proving ground, the crowd erupted into a flurry of whispers and gasps.

"Captain Soi-fon is leading the assessment this time!"

"Can't believe it's really her! Captain Soi-fon is like a goddess—stern and stunning!"

"And that bald guy next to her must be Madarame Ikkaku, the vice-captain of the 11th squad. And the ones beside him are Ayasegawa Yumichika, the third seat!"

"The nerves are hitting me hard with all these bigwigs around. I might just puke, seriously..."

Eyes sparkled with excitement as students strained to catch a glimpse of their esteemed mentors.

In the midst of the commotion, Su Li, too, found himself caught up in the anticipation. After days of intense preparation, he had honed his mastery over Ultra Instinct, seeing his strength and agility vastly improved. He was eager to put his newfound abilities to the test in the upcoming assessment.

Soi-fon exuded an air of authority, casting a proud gaze over the assembly of students.

With a quiet authority, she signaled the beginning.

"Let the assessment commence!"