Board Thread:General Discussion/@comment-11398218-20140521105018/@comment-25801533-20150603023423

Stefan (Shikai - &quot;Rust &amp; Shatter&quot;) wrote: In chapter 527, Unohana mentions that Zaraki's "partner" had just awakened together with him; referring to his Zanpakuto. Nozarashi then adresses Zaraki and realizes that he can finally hear its voice. It then introduces itself to him.

Now, Zaraki and Yachiru have been friends for a long time, so if she was really his Zanpakuto spirit, then that introduction makes no sense to me. I admit it's strange how Yachiru seemingly vanished into thin air, leaving her Shihakusho and lieutenant badge behind, but from there it's quite a stretch to assume that she's a Zanpakuto spirit.

Hypothetically if she was his zanpakuto she may have said her name but he cant hear her when she says it. Also a soul reaper can force the zanpakuto spirit into the world in a physical form to train for bankai.

SunXia wrote:

Kenpachi was interacting with his Zanpakuto and achieving Shikai before he returned, why would she only then disappear after he activated it against Gremmy?? How often do Zanpakuto spirits have their own Zanpakuto?? A Zanpakuto spirit is something belonging to the wielder, an extension of them, they are part of one another!! So you are saying Zaraki has two Zanpakuto spirits inside of him with absolutely no proof!! How often do Zanpakuto have the ability to wear clothes, to change their clothes??

Everything you are saying is complete speculation!!

In order to release a Shikai you need to meet your spirit and interact with your spirit and we saw the spirit reaching out for Zaraki!! and yet if Yachiru was the spirit why wouldn't he thus recognize her?? The spirit has to tell the Shinigami its name, otherwise he cannot use its power??

It is possible that Yachiru is part of Zaraki's shikai (it is not sealed nor fully released, it is in a half released state). He wouldn't recognize her as the zanpakuto spirit because he doesn't believe that a sword can have a spirit. Not once, until learning his zanpakuto's name, did he use his shikai's ability. Yachiru's ability and Zaraki's zanpakuto are both similar, not missing a slash and cutting anything.

Ponder this:

http://yokai.com/zashikiwarashi/ http://yokai.com/gashadokuro/ http://yokai.com/otoroshi/

All three are classified as yokai which basically means ghost monsters. Ghosts are essentially the half physical manifestations of energy.

They are a 15 meter tall skeleton, a being comprised almost entirely of hair, and a little girl who always plays pranks on people after sneaking into their houses, all of which can turn invisible at any moment. Sounds like Sanpo, Kenju, and Yachiru to me. She has a habit of just showing up out of nowhere.

Possibly Zaraki’s vast spiritual pressure forced the sword into its currently seen half released state. He did not meet yachiru until after he already picked up the sword (blank slate asauchi) from a dead soul reaper and his own soul began to imprint on it. The reason she can withstand Zaraki's immense spiritual pressure is because she is essentially born from it. She does have a unique spiritual pressure herself.

Yachiru says she is from the 79th which is possibly where the original soul reaper who owned the zanpakuto was from before being imprinted on by Zaraki.

While fighting Unahana he subconsciously sealed away his powers, maybe even forcing the soul out of his sword because he believe a sword is just a tool, and the soul of a zanpakuto is able to make the user many times stronger. When Zaraki first met Yachiru she didnt speak to him, or he just couldnt hear her voice.

Yachiru never uses a release command for her zanpakuto because Sanpo and Kenju (two beings) are always there and just hidden.

“You’re annoying me! Ken-chan’s fighting, so don’t bother me!” ~Yachiru refusing to listen about Aizens death because she wouldnt stop watching Zaraki’s fight (maybe because he is brandishing her)

“I had no name. I had no parents. I was from the 79th District of North Rukongai, Kusajishi. I had never seen anything in colors other than bloody red. But then you appeared, from the 80th District of North Rukongai, Zaraki. Even deeper in the darkness. You demolished the chaotic world that was dyed in blood, then you gave me a name. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be here today.” ~she could not see colours other than red because she is a sword? If Zaraki hadnt shown up she would not have existed because the other sould reaper may not ever have had the skill to draw out the power of that Asauchi?

“Since that day, you have been everything to me in this world.” ~just as the fused form of Tensa Zangetsu said to Ichigo, its always about the soul reaper, they mean the world to the Zanpakuto and the Zanpakuto only want to look out for the soul reaper.

“We’ll get stronger, Ken-chan. Together, let’s get stronger. I know that Ken-chan is the best. So let’s get stronger! You and me together.” ~does this even require any more explanation about her being the sword. Her getting stronger through his strength and vice versa, as well as slowly forming an even closer bond and communicating more.

"Whatever happens and at any time, Yachiru is always Kenpachi's supporter." - Tite Kubo in the official character book of souls.