"The exalted Soul King is nothing but a puppet!"
Ansai delivered this bombshell statement with a dignified, piercing gaze that swept across everyone present, lending weight to his words.
Akira's expression froze, confusion flickering in his eyes.
Having just arrived in this world, he wasn't fully versed in its workings.
He knew only what he'd read in various forums about the Soul King — a being who had destroyed the "Darkness", established the Three Worlds, and was supposedly omnipotent and omniscient.
Could Ansai truly be claiming this almighty being was merely a puppet? Was this arrogance, or had the Omnipotent somehow lost its power?
Such bold claims seemed dangerous to voice.
Noticing Akira's confusion, Ansai gave a cold laugh and elaborated.
"The Soul King sits in the Soul King Palace, protected by the Zero Division — the Royal Guard. Yet in Soul Society's million-year history, the Soul King has never issued a single order. Every decision shaping Soul Society has come from the Five Noble Houses! We — not the Soul King — are the true masters of this world!"
The assembled nobles showed little surprise, their expressions suggesting this was common knowledge.
As Ansai's inner circle, they'd heard this argument before. Their family records confirmed that neither the Zero Division nor the Soul King Palace had ever truly influenced Soul Society's development.
Real power rested with the Five Noble Houses and their puppet institution, the Central 46.
This truth was precisely why these nobles had pledged themselves to the Tsunayashiro Clan Head.
"This world shouldn't be ruled by a single voice." Ansai said, lowering his gaze, "Our mastery of Gikon technology and the Kuchiki clan's defeat prove it. I alone should stand at the pinnacle!"
The room erupted with sycophantic praise — "Lord Tsunayashiro is supreme!" — with Akira's voice rising above the rest.
The recent victory in the rebel war had accelerated Ansai's plans, and now he had mastered the crucial Artificial Soul technology.
Only time stood between him and total dominion.
Akira's allegiance had brought the plan to ninety-nine percent completion — just one final push remained.
Ansai's trust was well-placed. After all, his success would make him absolute ruler, elevating Akira's position far beyond its current status.
Who could resist such tempting power?
"What's our next move?!" Akira asked eagerly, "Should we rally everyone for a counterattack? First strike down Yamamoto, then destroy the Kuchiki, and place Lord Tsunayashiro on the supreme throne? Everyone knows how long I've suffered with Yamamoto — I can barely keep my blade sheathed!"
Hearing this, Ansai cast a pitying look at the young man before him.
Since joining Genryū's style, Genryūsai had indeed beaten this disciple mercilessly during every training session, with wails of pain often echoing from the 1st Division.
Rather than enjoying the prestige of being a disciple, Akira had endured nothing but hardship, making his resentment understandable.
"The time isn't right." Ansai said soothingly, "Once the final step is complete, I will possess the ultimate power. Even Yamamoto won't be my match then."
Akira blinked several times, staring at the overconfident old man before him, momentarily speechless.
He had merely been boasting, yet this man had taken his words at face value.
Genryūsai hadn't drawn his sword in so many years that Soul Society had forgotten his terrifying might. Now, even common folk dared to challenge Soul Society's Strongest Shinigami.
"My lord, what is this final step you speak of?" Since he had earned their trust, he decided to dig deeper.
"Have you heard of the Soul King Piece?"
Akira's eyes widened — he had never heard of such a thing.
Mimihagi? One-Eyed God? None of these terms meant anything to him.
"The Soul King Piece contains Its power — one of the strongest forces in this world." Ansai explained, "And the Gikon technology can create temporary souls, increasing one's power by placing these souls within the body."
Akira grasped the concept immediately.
It was simple: use Artificial Soul technology to implant the Soul King Piece within oneself for a massive power boost. The first step toward supreme rulership was gaining enough power to dominate Soul Society.
Well, though this man's wisdom paled in comparison to his own, at least he showed some intelligence. At the very least, he hadn't rushed headlong into confrontation with Genryūsai.
"With the Kuchiki clan's defeat, those fence-sitters now recognize our strength, and they'll soon pledge their allegiance. Moreover, the Gotei 13 aren't as unified as they appear!"
Ansai's gaze sharpened as he raised his right hand with five fingers spread, as if he held everything within his grasp.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
"Sōsuke!"
Hearing this energetic shout, Aizen's finger trembled during his research, causing the living test subject before him to instantly perish.
He let out a long sigh, his expression resigned. Before he could speak, a figure burst through the laboratory door, shattering the lock.
Aizen's eye twitched at the sight of the broken lock.
This guy's strength had become increasingly absurd. The lab's lock had been reinforced with Kidō — even a high-ranking Seated Officer's full-power strike couldn't break it.
Yet Akira had destroyed it with a single kick.
"Tell me, what is it this time?" Aizen set aside his failed experiment and sat down, pouring two cups of tea from a prepared pot.
Akira glanced around cautiously before speaking in a hushed tone, "I've obtained confidential intelligence — Ansai Tsunayashiro plans to rebel against Soul Society."
He proceeded to detail everything he had witnessed at the Tsunayashiro estate.
Initially, Aizen remained unconcerned. By his estimation, only the ambition of becoming the sole god could drive Ansai to action.
What caught his attention was the revelation about the Soul King.
The Five Noble Houses were Soul Society's true rulers, with the so-called Soul King serving as merely an exalted puppet.
Throughout Soul Society's million-year history, neither the Soul King nor the Royal Guard had ever influenced its development. Every significant change had stemmed from the Five Noble Houses.
This revelation transformed Aizen's understanding of the world while igniting his curiosity.
Why had the Soul King — supposedly the one true deity — become a mere puppet of the Five Noble Houses?
What exactly was this Soul King Piece? Was the Soul King's right arm meant literally?
With these thoughts, Aizen's gaze fell on the couch nearby, where Akira was peering curiously at an eyeball floating in a measuring cup.
They stared at each other blankly.
Tsk, hopeless — not even a shred of intelligence.
"If Ansai Tsunayashiro says so, he must be completely confident." Aizen analyzed solemnly, "All we can do now is warn Captain-Commander Yamamoto and wait for the final chaos to arrive. Meeting each challenge as it comes is the most prudent approach."
Hearing this, Akira immediately frowned, "Aren't you worried that teacher won't be able to defeat him? He has merged with the Soul King Piece's power!"
Aizen shook his head, "Every living being has limits. These limits depend on the soul's state and cannot be arbitrarily broken by mere external factors. Even the Soul King's power has its limitations. At Ansai Tsunayashiro's level, even with the Soul King's power, he cannot possibly be a match for the Captain-Commander. You can rest assured about that."
At this point, he paused before continuing.
"Moreover, as Captain-Commander, Yamamoto would never move against the Five Noble Houses unless absolutely necessary. He represents Soul Society's order and the rules that have held for a million years. Breaking them would have unimaginable consequences. Can you imagine what happens when a pool of million-year-old sewage is violently stirred up?"
Akira pondered this thoughtfully.
Though he felt the metaphor was somewhat strange. The old man Genryūsai didn't seem to play a very good role in it.
{T/N: Aizen just called the bald eagle a huge piece of shit or its just my impression?}
"In that case, it seems only the Kuchiki and Shihōin clans, being among the Five Noble Houses themselves, could move against the Tsunayashiro preemptively."
The Shiba clan was too weak and didn't meddle in these affairs, so he excluded them from consideration.
Akira frowned, "If this won't work and that won't work, who knows what trouble might arise if we keep waiting. These nobles are such a hassle."
Aizen nodded, acknowledging his point. After thinking for a moment, he mused, "Actually, there is a faster way..."
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
South Rukongai, 1st District.
Several figures lurked in the shadows of the street alleys, watching the passing crowds and monitoring the Reishi fluctuations in the air.
Kusagusa Segawa turned to the youth beside him and asked nervously, "Lord Kisaragi, are we really going to assassinate Yoruichi Shihōin? She's the current head of the Shihōin clan — she must have many guards."
Akira glanced at him and replied, "Let me correct you — not assassination, capture! A living person is more valuable than a dead one! The Shihōin clan is the only obstacle left in Lord Tsunayashiro's path. If we capture Yoruichi Shihōin and pressure the clan, the path to supremacy will be clear. Great things await us, understand?"
Kusagusa hesitated, "But shouldn't we consult with Lord Tsunayashiro first?"
"Hey, Brother Kusane, I never knew you were such a worrywart." Akira smirked, "If you're scared, back out now — just don't come crying later when your brothers rise to glory, saying we didn't give you a chance. Besides, you're not even the main force. What are you afraid of? Don't tell me you can't even use Sekienton."
Kusagusa's face twisted with inner conflict.
Risk on one side, glory on the other — anyone would find it hard to choose.
Finally, he gritted his teeth, "This brother will risk his life with you — let's do this!"
Akira grinned, "That's the spirit!"
As they spoke, several figures appeared at the street's end.
They wore black Shihakushō with the 2nd Division's insignia on their right arms — 2nd Division Shinigami.
Looking at the bustling street ahead, Yoruichi felt inexplicably uneasy. Though it was just an ordinary mission, she couldn't shake a strong sense of impending danger.
"Turn back, abort the mission."
"But, Lady Yoruichi..."
"My word is final!"
Seeing her anger, Marenoshin swallowed his words, though pride swelled in his chest.
The young girl he had watched grow up had become a capable Shinigami Captain.
However, just as everyone turned to leave, clouds of crimson smoke burst forth in the street, instantly obscuring their vision.
The ominous premonition had come true.
The scene before him left Marenoshin dumbfounded. Someone actually daring to attack the 2nd Division Captain in the 1st District?
"Protect Lady Yoruichi!" Without hesitation, his large, imposing frame moved to shield her, releasing a surge of Reiatsu to disperse the red smoke.
The other Shinigami gathered around her, scanning their surroundings with heightened vigilance.
Trained in stealth operations, they felt exposed and vulnerable in the open.
"Hah, trying to escape?!"
A maniacal laugh echoed from all directions as overwhelming pressure descended. A figure burst from the smoke, charging straight at their strongest defender, Marenoshin Ōmaeda.
⤫ Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō ⥤ Six Rods Prison of Light! ⤬
As the Kidō incantation rang out, Marenoshin's massive hand struck forward, the prepared Bakudō instantly hitting the attacker.
Yet a hastily cast spell stood no chance against a well-prepared foe.
⤫ Jigoku Gyaku Nami ⥤ Hellish Reverse Wave ⤬
Fierce sword light erupted, shattering the Bakudō's light.
Marenoshin's pupils contracted as he sensed the enemy's true strength. Before he could shout a warning, a fist crackling with power appeared before him.
Bang!
With one thunderous impact, his massive frame went flying, drawing an arc through the air before crashing at the street's end.
One-hit kill!
Having dispatched the greatest threat, Akira tore through the crowd like a fierce tiger, felling two more with a single strike.
With the mighty Marenoshin defeated, what resistance could the others offer?
While the other nobles handled the remaining guards, he focused on the shorter figure shielding Yoruichi.
"I won't allow—"
Before she could finish, a large hand pressed against her cheek, followed by a precise strike to the back that rendered her unconscious.
The captor and his target locked eyes.
"How did you recognize me?"
"Intuition." Yoruichi blinked with a sly smile, "Are you planning to take me back as your mountain bride?"
"Hmph, since I've been discovered, I'll drop the gentleman act." Akira grinned wickedly, swept an arm around her slender waist, and hoisted her onto his shoulder.
With a Shunpo, he vanished at the street's end...
⤫⤬⤫
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