One unresolved mystery in the world of Bleach that continues to puzzle fans is the Zanpakuto of Captain Yoruichi. In the series, a Soul Reaper's Zanpakuto is considered their most powerful weapon, except for Yoruichi. Surprisingly, Yoruichi seems to disregard her Zanpakuto to such an extent that she has never even used it throughout the entire series. Even when training Ichigo on how to wield his own sword, Yoruichi never once unsheathed hers to demonstrate. With the recent release of part 2 of The Thousand-Year Blood War, there is a possibility that the new anime adaptation will finally address why Yoruichi is so hesitant to use her Zanpakuto and reveal its true capabilities.
Yoruichi, who was once the Captain of Squad 2 in the Soul Reaper hierarchy, had to attain the Bankai release state with her Zanpakuto in order to become a captain of the Gotei 13. This suggests that she has indeed utilized her Zanpakuto in the past and possesses enough skill to achieve Bankai, an accomplishment that many Soul Reapers never attain. However, Yoruichi predominantly relies on Kido, a type of magic used for both offense and defense, and its more advanced form called Shunko. It is worth noting that Rukia, another prominent Soul Reaper, also utilizes Kido, yet this has never prevented her from using her Zanpakuto alongside it.
Why Yoruichi's Zanpakuto Abilities Are Completely Unknown
Yoruichi's past role as the leader of the Stealth Force (known as Onmitsukido in Japanese) might hold the answer. The Stealth Force, a special operations group in the Soul Society, operates independently from the 13 Court Guard Squads and deals with secretive tasks like espionage and assassinations. In such cases, it is more advantageous to use subtler techniques like Kido rather than a flashy Zanpakuto. This was exemplified by Sui-Feng, Yoruichi's successor in Squad 2, who refrains from using her Bankai because it functions like a large rocket launcher.
After years of involvement in undercover missions, Yoruichi may have simply become more skilled in Kido than in wielding her Zanpakuto.
There could be other reasons as well. Certain Soul Reapers are restricted from using their Bankai due to the potential threat they pose to their allies, hence this might be the case for Yoruichi. Alternatively, Yoruichi might be concealing her Zanpakuto's abilities for strategic advantage. By keeping her true capabilities unknown, she always maintains an upper hand in potential combat situations. As a member of the Stealth Force, she may be particularly cautious about revealing the powers of her Zanpakuto. Despite facing many life-threatening circumstances, Yoruichi has never resorted to using it.
The Thousand-Year Blood War Could Reveal Yoruichi's Zanpakuto
Yoruichi's Zanpakuto could potentially be unveiled if it were included in the anime adaptation of The Thousand-Year Blood War. The current series is already showcasing Shinji Hirako's Bankai, even though it wasn't featured in the manga, so there is a chance that a similar scenario could occur for Yoruichi. If the "Hell arc" from the anniversary one-shot is further developed, it could provide an opportunity to showcase Yoruichi's blade as well. Until these possibilities unfold, the mystery surrounding Yoruichi's Zanpakuto will continue to captivate Bleach fans.
