"Lord Kisaragi, Master Tsunayashiro will surely be delighted by your level of understanding."
Said Kusane — no, I mean Kusagusa — as he gazed admiringly at the young man before him with a somewhat melancholic expression.
"A genius like yourself shouldn't be confined within the Seireitei. The battlefield outside is where you belong. Unlike me, who can only devise strategies for the master from within the mansion."
His talent for Kidō was mediocre. Even after hundreds of years of rigorous training, he remained at the level of an ordinary Shinigami.
His combat abilities were even worse. Not only could regular Gotei 13 Shinigami easily defeat him, but even average students from the Shin'ō Academy could overwhelm him without effort.
So when he heard that Akira was preparing to fight for Ansai, he was filled with admiration.
"Brother Kusane, don't put yourself down." Akira waved his hand dismissively, "What kind of relationship do we brothers have? If the master recognizes me, that means he recognizes you too. When your brother makes it big, how could I possibly mistreat my old brother?"
Kusagusa wanted to speak but held back. He had tried several times to correct Akira's way of addressing him, but to no avail.
However, hearing these words suddenly made him feel that being called Kusane wasn't so bad after all.
Just as the two were bantering, Ansai stormed in from outside, his face dark with anger.
When he sat down in the seat of honor, he burst out cursing.
"That old bastard Kuchiki has gone too far! I'll make your Kuchiki family pay dearly for this!"
Kusagusa and Akira exchanged glances, both seeing curiosity in each other's eyes. They couldn't fathom what the Kuchiki family had done to provoke him.
Before either could ask, Ansai began explaining.
Today was the sentencing day for Okama Shinji and the others. He had used his influence to try to reduce their punishment.
But Ginrei Kuchiki had suddenly interfered, pushing for heavier penalties for their high treason.
Both sides, being among the Five Noble Families, had their own supporters in the Central 46. This resulted in a deadlock.
Okama and the others remained imprisoned in the Senzaikyū, awaiting judgment.
Since Akira had helped Ansai recover the crucial Gikon technology, he valued this rising star in his faction enough to speak freely in his presence.
After finishing his explanation, he looked toward his confidants in the room and asked,
"Lord Shinji has worked tirelessly for our great cause. We cannot let him suffer such humiliation. Does anyone have any suggestions?"
For a moment, everyone lowered their gaze, staring at the corners of the floor.
They were all just upper or lower-ranking nobles with limited power. While they might be able to cause trouble for the Gotei 13, they became timid at the thought of challenging the Kuchiki family, one of the Five Great Noble Houses.
Ansai looked around at everyone, his disappointment evident.
These people always boasted of their undying loyalty, claiming they would walk through fire for their lord. Yet when the moment called for action, they cowered in silence.
Suddenly, a voice rang out from the crowd.
"Cut down that old man Ginrei Kuchiki! Anyone who dares to oppose Lord Tsunayashiro must die!"
When Ansai looked closer, he saw it was Akira — the new talent in whom he had placed such high hopes.
Though the words were bold, they matched his own thoughts perfectly.
"Be patient, now is not the time to move against Ginrei Kuchiki." He said, raising his hand, "We've almost mastered the Gikon technology. Once the development is complete, that will be the end of the Kuchiki family."
"And the Shihōin family too!" Akira added, "I helped them regain mastery of their inherited Zanpakutō, yet they showed no gratitude — they even spoke ill of me. They must pay dearly for this!"
Ansai's breath caught, and after a moment's hesitation, he said slowly, "Indeed they should."
He knew the story well. He had expected the Shihōin family to eagerly recruit someone of such talent. Instead, those old fools had proven remarkably short-sighted.
They had not only failed to reward such a great service but had even treated Akira with contempt. It was inexcusable.
Still, their shortsightedness had worked in his favor — without it, he would never have gained such a capable subordinate.
In many ways, Akira proved even more valuable than Okama Shinji.
"We can't touch Ginrei Kuchiki for now." Ansai mused, "But we can target other members of the Kuchiki family — those on the front lines!"
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
East Rukongai, 64th District, Sabitsura (Rusted Face).
In the Plains of Death, chaotic and violent Reiatsu swirled in disarray as an intense atmosphere permeated the air.
Deafening battle cries shattered the silence, and the sounds of flesh being torn apart drove the Shinigami into an even greater frenzy.
Over a hundred Shinigami clashed in fierce combat, their eyes bloodshot and demonic.
Kidō explosions thundered across the field while scorching flames raged through the rising dust, drowning out the miserable screams beneath their roar.
From the high ground overlooking the battlefield, a lone figure watched the battle unfold.
It wasn't time to enter yet.
The enemy's General hadn't appeared — joining now would affect his side's morale and alter the entire battle's course.
For now, both sides remained evenly matched.
But battlefield fortunes can turn in an instant. One side, strong just moments before, suddenly faltered. Dozens of Shinigami retreated in succession, some falling where they stood, their blood staining the plains.
Then the Generals from both sides entered simultaneously, their powerful Reiatsu descending and making the air grow thick.
Akira studied his opponent, finding no familiar face.
Their Reiatsu was unremarkable, merely 4th or 5th Rank in the Spirit Class — not even matching Shiraki Shin'ichi from the graduation exam.
"State your name! I don't cut down nameless opponents!" Takeuchi Mannosuke brandished his Zanpakutō, his presence overwhelming, his expression fierce.
"Sorry, but I have a strict 'no-talking-during-sword-fights' policy. It's in my contract, right between 'dramatic entrances' and 'witty one-liners after victory'." Akira drew his Zanpakutō and flash-stepped forward, launching the first attack.
There was no point in talking with this kind of minor character who wouldn't last three episodes. At most, for his important client Sōjun's sake, he'd spare their life.
Takeuchi flew into a rage, slashing forward with fierce intensity. Reiatsu light burst from his blade, dominating the battlefield with its brilliance.
Though he had never studied at the Shin'ō Academy, as a direct subordinate of the Kuchiki family, his strength was formidable — second only to Kōga Kuchiki himself.
Having mastered Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Kidō equally, even ordinary Shinigami Lieutenants couldn't match his power.
"How could a mere rebel who hides their face be a match for the great Takeuchi Mannosuke!" He bellowed.
Yet the moment their blades clashed, his expression transformed dramatically — his features contorting in shock.
He had never imagined encountering such a terrifying opponent.
An endless, vast power surged through their connected blades. After just a moment's deadlock, Takeuchi was sent flying backward, his feet carving deep furrows across the plains.
Stumbling to his feet, he stared with fear-filled eyes at the approaching figure, his heart pounding with shock.
Incomprehensible!
Had the Tsunayashiro family prepared for all-out war? How could a Shinigami of this caliber be here? Shouldn't Lord Kōga Kuchiki be his opponent?
Questions flooded his mind, but there was no time to dwell on them.
Takeuchi gripped his sword hilt with five fingers, pointing the blade downward. With a roar meant to bolster his courage, he called out:
"Roar, Sōtōra!"
⤫ Shikai: Sōtōra ⥤ Initial Release: Two-Head Tiger! ⤬
As his words echoed, Reiatsu erupted violently, and brilliant white light poured from his Zanpakutō.
Under Akira's curious gaze, the blade transformed into two tiger claw-like punch blades, crackling with Reiatsu light.
Without hesitation, Takeuchi swung his newly formed tiger claws. Several blade beams of pure Reishi shot forth!
The air itself tore apart as the blade beams hurtled viciously toward Akira's position.
Yet faced with this onslaught, Akira simply lowered his sword-holding right hand and raised his left, perfectly positioned to block the incoming blade beams.
BOOM!!
The razor-sharp blade beams struck what seemed like an iron wall, producing a thunderous sound yet failing to advance even a fraction further.
No Kidō was used — just pure Spiritual Body suppression. He hadn't even needed his Reiatsu.
Takeuchi stood frozen, staring at this reality-shattering scene before him.
His mind reeled. How could a Shinigami block his Shikai's blade beams with mere flesh?
This was a powerful killing move comparable to Ken'atsu (Sword Pressure)!
{T/N: Sword Pressure is almost like Reiatsu, something that just happens, natural to the strength of the person. It's like when Genryūsai just does a normal slash in any direction and half of Seireitei goes to the ground.}
Even ordinary Menos Grande couldn't withstand this attack, yet it had been casually blocked by a single palm.
He could hardly believe his eyes, but what happened next shook the very foundations of his beliefs.
Akira's five fingers closed together with an explosive crack of air.
The blade beams — Takeuchi's last hope — shattered instantly, dissolving into countless motes of Reishi that scattered to the void.
"Impossible, absolutely impossible! It's all an illusion, you can't fool me!"
He swung his tiger claw blades like a madman, unleashing a torrential rain of blade beams that engulfed Akira's form.
⤫ Kaen Bakuha ⥤ Flame Burst! ⤬
Purple flames erupted into a towering inferno. Muscles tensed, five fingers tightened, and infinite power surged between his knuckles.
⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Moeru, Atsuryoku Sōsai! Origin Style: Ignite, Crushing Pressure! ⤬
As Akira's fist descended, the incoming blade beams shattered completely. A fierce wind howled forward, sending Takeuchi flying like autumn leaves in a storm.
An overwhelming victory with no suspense!
He crashed into a deep crater, coughing blood, struggling to rise with bloodshot eyes as he gazed at the distant figure. With trembling hands, he pulled a familiar talisman from his chest.
When blood and Reiatsu mixed, the black markings on the talisman absorbed it all.
A pillar of Reiatsu shot skyward!
The plains fell silent as countless eyes turned toward the erupting pillar.
This sight was all too familiar to the battle-hardened Shinigami — a Kuchiki family talisman, sacrificing battlefield souls to summon a deity's descent.
Darkness slowly condensed into a vague, twisted right arm, looming tall over the battlefield.
Heavy, fearful, painful — the ink-black color spread across the plains until darkness covered everything.
The souls of fallen Shinigami from earlier battles, combined with Takeuchi's power, were absorbed into the darkness. This dark energy flowed into the right arm, making it increasingly powerful.
Akira rubbed his nose, experiencing an oddly familiar and awkward sensation at the scene before him.
Not long ago, he had mocked Kusagusa for giving him back his mansion, and now the very talisman he had sold was being used against him.
The boomerang had returned rather quickly.
Moreover, the talisman's effect on the battlefield was unusually potent. The power gained from sacrificing lives and souls could alter the course of a war.
Actually, the principle behind the talisman was simple: inject some power, then gain the right to perform sacrifices.
Once activated, a formal sacrifice would begin. Depending on the offerings, Mimihagi would grant different levels of power.
Of course, it also depended on Its mood. Not everyone could make offerings with mere sweet potatoes.
When the indifferent single eye slowly opened on the back of the hand, the chaotic battlefield fell silent.
A god-like figure towered above, with countless tiny shadows moving across Its profound form like black meandering streams.
The single eye and two eyes met, and the air grew still.
Even the indifferent gaze showed a momentary pause, an emotion called confusion emanating from the black right hand.
"Ahem, boss, play along." Akira whispered, then erupted with all his Reiatsu, creating an impressive display.
The shadows hesitated, and from the depths came what seemed like a silent sigh. The single eye closed, and countless tiny shadows streamed forward to attack him.
However, compared to previous uses of the talisman, this performance seemed more like thunder with just a little rain.
After just a few clashes of Reiatsu, the shadows shattered into mere Reishi that dissolved into the air.
Seeing this, Takeuchi's face crumpled in despair, and he surrendered all resistance. With his final trump card broken, there was no hope of turning the tide.
His defeat decisively tipped the scales of victory toward the rebel army.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
When the battle ended, Shinigami from the 2nd and 8th Divisions who had been observing from the battlefield's edge swiftly reported the outcome to their respective Captains.
News of their devastating defeat quickly reached the Kuchiki family, causing an immediate uproar throughout the Noble District as people frantically discussed the battle's outcome.
That evening, the Kuchiki Manor convened a family meeting to discuss their response.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
Meanwhile, the Tsunayashiro family celebrated their victory with an extravagant banquet.
At the celebration, Ansai lavished praise upon Akira, welcoming him into his inner circle of confidants and revealing every detail of his supposed grand plan.
⤫⤬⤫
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