[quote=KDPdaKing]
I'm confused. Do I have Shikai or not AND what power level do I need to have in order to awaken it? Or do I just need to meditate with jinsen for a long ass time
[/quote]

you can choose to start with either shikai or not. and if you start without shikai then you can start working on your char getting shikai and don't have to do it for a long ass time that's bankai xD