From within the intense Reishi flames, a figure emerged emanating a fierce presence — the apparent mastermind of this war.
A maniacal laugh, echoing like that of a righteous warrior, resonated through the Seireitei's skies as if a demon had descended. Countless Shinigami instinctively looked skyward, their faces filled with bewilderment.
This posture, this laughter... Could it be Captain Kisaragi of the 11th Division?
Had he finally betrayed Soul Society because the Captain-Commander refused to grant him authority? Had he turned to the Quincy side, ready to rebel and seize power?
"My subordinates, spread out and annihilate the Seireitei!"
Akira's smile turned savage as he waved his hand, and the Quincy scattered like torrential rain throughout the Seireitei.
"Today we shall slaughter that old man Yamamoto! For the Empire!"
The Quincy showed no hint of timidity or nervousness in the face of large-scale warfare, their excitement palpable.
They had rehearsed scenarios like this hundreds of times in Hueco Mundo. This war merely changed the venue from Hueco Mundo to Soul Society, and their opponents from Hollows to Shinigami.
With Lord Hashirama Senju as their commander and leader, they felt no fear, regardless of what they might face.
Everyone's eyes blazed with enthusiasm as they carried out their sole order — to defeat every enemy that appeared before them.
Akira casually threw out a Heilig Pfeil, demolishing hundreds of meters of buildings as if they were dried twigs, leaving deep scorch marks on the ground like the lashes of a whip.
Looking at the devastation before him, he grinned. If he hadn't feared being cut down by a certain old man's Ryūjin Jakka, he would have done this long ago.
Departing from Yhwach's original plan and following the advice of a certain God of Shinobi, he had launched an all-out attack. Even Yhwach, the emperor himself, had headed straight for the 1st Division without a word.
Originally, Akira had planned to accompany him, but as he took a step forward, he encountered an unexpected enemy.
"Stop right there, Quincy."
Wearing a pink haori and a straw hat, the Captain of the 8th Division appeared on the battlefield, his lazy expression vanishing at the sight of the endless ruins stretching before him.
Shunsui removed his straw hat, his expression turning grave. He drew his dual blades deliberately, releasing their Shikai in one fluid motion.
Though he was just a Reigai, the Soul King fragment allowed him to perfectly replicate Shunsui's power. Apart from slight deficiencies in soul and personality, he was nearly identical to the original.
"Ah, Shunsui, I know you well." Akira's expression turned serious, "Among the Captains, you're the craftiest and most cunning — sneaking off to drink with courtesans in Rukongai behind your Lieutenant's back and always borrowing money from your juniors. You still haven't returned those ₭32,000 from last time."
Shunsui: "..."
He had initially doubted this man's identity, but these irreverent words erased all uncertainty.
To defend his honor, he would have to slay this disgrace to their school right here.
⤫ Bushōgoma ⥤ Lazy Spinning Top! ⤬
Shunsui crossed his blades and slashed forward in one swift motion, unleashing howling whirlwinds from the blade.
Feeling the sharp attack approach, Akira nodded approvingly. Indeed, worthy of being a Captain-Commander candidate — this strength alone set him apart from the other Captains.
Unfortunately, you encountered me!
Activating his Blut Arterie, Akira swung his fist at the whirlwind. The force of his punch instantly dispersed the Bushōgoma, and the remaining energy struck Shunsui head-on.
BOOM!!
A violent spiritual storm expanded and exploded across the blue sky.
A disheveled Shunsui emerged, his face betraying shock and astonishment.
This opponent had become far more terrifying than before!
Unfortunately, his Bankai was ill-suited for such a crowded battlefield — one misstep could draw allies into its range, causing devastating casualties.
While he pondered this dilemma, another wild laugh pierced the sky. Looking up, he witnessed a shooting star streaking across the horizon, plummeting toward his position.
BOOM!
Dust billowed hundreds of meters high as the ground cratered deeply. From within emerged a muscular figure, staring intently at the two figures above.
Upon seeing this person, Akira's expression immediately turned serious.
"Could you be the wise and mighty Captain Kisaragi of the 11th Division, whom Yhwach named as Soul Society's strongest?!"
Shunsui: "?"
The newcomer laughed, "Indeed, I am the Captain! Looking at your appearance — equally magnificent and handsome — you must be the mastermind behind this war. Come then! When two kings clash, one must fall! Today, either you die or I live!"
The two exchanged glances, erupting in near-identical laughs before simultaneously tearing off their clothes and charging at each other like barbarians.
The explosive impact rippled in all directions, shockwaves raging wildly through the air.
Seeing that a certain someone was enjoying himself, Shunsui quietly withdrew to assist on other battlefields, not wanting to spoil their moment.
⤫ Tenrin Shipū ⥤ Celestial Four Winds Strike! ⤬
⤫ Tenrin Seika ⥤ Celestial Star Fire Kick! ⤬
Their booming battle cries echoed through the ruins as the two figures collided like mountains, making the earth shudder in agony.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
As Reishi flames erupted, Kaname rushed from the barracks toward the battlefield, searching for the strongest Quincy Reiatsu nearby.
"What are you looking at?"
An arrogant voice from behind made his heart freeze.
As he turned, intense flames surged toward him like a maddened beast, threatening to devour him whole.
⤫ Bakudō #81: Dankū⥤ Splitting Void! ⤬
Hum—
The Reishi resonated as a transparent barrier materialized above, instantly isolating the searing heat and deflecting the sneak attack.
"A sneak attack? How despicable." Kaname faced his opponent with an expressionless gaze, "I didn't expect Quincy to be such inferior beings, devoid of even basic morality."
Bazz-B showed no embarrassment, letting out a contemptuous snort.
"If flames of this level could kill you, you wouldn't be worthy as my opponent. Sternritter, Bazz-B!"
Kaname's right hand pressed against his sword hilt, drawing it slowly from its sheath.
"Sixth Division Captain, Kaname Tōsen."
The moment those words left his lips, Bazz-B launched his attack.
Rather than activating his Schrift to summon flames, he activated his Blut Arterie, his toes striking the ground as he shot like an arrow toward Kaname.
Though his opponent's body showed some deficiencies, vision at their level hardly mattered. The spiritual sense developed from Reiatsu was what truly controlled the battle.
Facing the fierce assault, Kaname remained stoic as he raised his sword, his blade pressure slashing vertically through the air.
Yet what he hadn't anticipated was that Bazz-B made no attempt to dodge — instead, he took the sword pressure head-on and threw a punch straight through.
BOOM!
The overwhelming force exploded against the blade, channeling directly into Kaname's arms and sending him flying dozens of meters back.
As he rose from the dust, Bazz-B's fierce smile appeared before him once more. The attacks came like a relentless storm, giving no chance for respite.
In moments, they had exchanged over ten rounds of combat in the street, intense flames burning wildly and painting the sky crimson.
⤫ Hadō #63: Raikōhō ⥤ Thunder Roar Sear! ⤬
Seizing an opening, Kaname launched a Hadō, blasting Bazz-B away. He adjusted his stance and released his full Reiatsu.
⤫ Bankai: Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi ⥤ Final Release: Cricket Final Form: Yama Cricket! ⤬
But in the next moment, a voice emerged from the collapsed ruins:
"Melt.
Sea to cloud, cloud to rain, rain to fog. That with shape to that which is unseen. After our jubilation, the chalice will be turned face down."
Bazz-B held up the Quincy medallion, pointing it at the expanding dark purple Reiatsu, his mouth curling into a grin.
"Now!!!"
In that instant, before Kaname's shocked eyes, his Bankai was completely absorbed into the circular metal disc in Bazz-B's hand.
"This is..."
Bazz-B tucked away the medallion, his savage smile widening, "Medallion! It can forcibly steal a Shinigami's Bankai! Without yours, you're nothing but a lamb awaiting slaughter. Accept it—the world belongs to the Empire!"
Feeling the total loss of his Bankai, Kaname felt a surge of emotion.
Lord Aizen, was this also within your calculations?
Using our power to nullify the medallion's ability, then engaging in fair combat — truly worthy of being Lord Kisaragi's close friend.
With this thought, he pushed aside his surprise and steadied himself, raising his Zanpakutō to point directly at Bazz-B.
Then he struck.
Bazz-B made no move to use Kaname's stolen Bankai or even activate Vollständig. Instead, he charged forward recklessly, mimicking another's style.
Since there was no real threat, he might as well enjoy the fight.
As for Yhwach's orders and promised rewards?
To hell with them!
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
The 1st Division Barracks.
Genryūsai fixed his stern gaze on the middle-aged man before him.
A thousand years had changed Yhwach considerably. His black beard and long hair framed deep, fierce features, and his blood-red eyes burned with hatred.
Time hadn't dulled the past — it had only made it sharper.
Beside him, Chōjirō's tension was palpable, his right hand gripping his sword hilt as tangible Reiatsu gathered around him.
Looking at his old enemy, Yhwach's lips curved into a savage smile.
"Long time no see, Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto."
Genryūsai responded with a cold snort, his blazing aura rising.
"Yhwach, after a thousand years, it's time to settle this."
Yhwach's gaze turned cold as his Reiatsu gathered, making the entire barracks groan under the strain. Cracks spread with ominous creaks.
Without another word, Genryūsai drew his sword. Flames ignited along the blade as he transformed into a blazing sun and charged forward.
Clang!
Metal clashed as the black Quincy cross blade met the crimson Ryūjin Jakka. Explosive sounds resounded throughout the vast 1st Division barracks, their shockwaves forcing Chōjirō to retreat and dodge.
Yet Yhwach had already noticed his presence.
"Haschwalth, deal with that one."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Chōjirō: "?"
He was merely a Lieutenant — why had he caught the attention of the Quincy King Yhwach?
It seemed that if Yhwach hadn't been occupied with Genryūsai, he might have dealt with Chōjirō personally.
Could there be some misunderstanding?
Before he could ponder further, azure Heilig Pfeil tore through the sky toward him.
Faced with Jugram's attack, Chōjirō could only dodge desperately. Their power levels weren't remotely comparable; direct confrontation was impossible.
As the two moved away, the battle between Yhwach and Genryūsai intensified.
"You've grown old, Genryūsai Yamamoto." Yhwach mocked, "The mighty sword of fire from the past no longer exists. Now you can't even scratch me."
"Nonsense!" Genryūsai roared, unleashing world-engulfing flames that swallowed his enemy whole.
Yet this powerful attack — one that could annihilate Shinigami Captains — vanished instantly as azure light rose up. Light screens unfolded, enveloping the barracks in a massive battle formation.
⤫ Kirchenlied: Sankt Zwinger ⥤ Holy Chant: Sanctuary Veneration! ⤬
Quincy crosses erupted from the ground, demolishing the barracks with overwhelming force and surrounding the flame-wreathed Genryūsai.
"This is the true power of the Quincy." Yhwach's deep voice echoed through the ruins, "Genryūsai Yamamoto, did you truly believe you could defeat me? If not for Hyosube Ichibei's interference a thousand years ago, I would have torn you to pieces!"
Genryūsai's only response was a cold snort and towering flames.
⤫ Ennetsu Jigoku ⥤ Hell of Scorching Flames! ⤬
The ground split open as scorching magma surged through the cracks, transforming into pillars of fire that rose to the heavens and annihilated the Quincy crosses.
⤫ Bankai: Zanka no Tachi ⥤ Final Release: Longsword of the Remnant Flame! ⤬
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
In Las Noches, within the meeting hall.
Aizen sat in what was usually Akira's place, a female Arrancar with a teapot standing beside him, while dozens of figures gathered around the massive conference table.
Genryūsai and the others stared curiously at their teacups filled with steaming red tea.
"Has everyone received theirs? Though my tea ceremony skills cannot match the Captain-Commander's, they have their own charm." Aizen's gentle voice filled the spacious hall, "Please drink while you listen to what I have to say."
Mayuri's mouth curled into a grin as he pressed the control.
A vortex opened on the conference table, and a massive light screen rose up, its images reflecting in everyone's eyes. As they watched the displayed scenes, their expressions grew increasingly perplexed.
Aizen took an elegant sip of his tea, set down the cup, and spoke deliberately:
"This is the current war in the Seireitei — brutal and tragic, with Officers and even Seated Officers falling every moment. The Quincy, trained by Akira, have proven stronger than anticipated. However, there's no need for excessive concern."
His gaze swept across everyone present, his calm voice carrying to their ears.
"From beginning to end, we have only one objective. That is Yhwach..."
⤫⤬⤫
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