Purple flames blazed fiercely.
White lightning surged and exploded, illuminating the battlefield like day. Electric serpents danced and intertwined, tracing brilliant patterns across Akira's body.
Despite this imposing display, Akira's burst of Reiatsu seemed insignificant. Even with his weakened new power, Ansai still possessed genuine 3rd Rank Reiatsu.
In contrast, Akira had upper-Seat Officer-level Reiatsu.
In raw power alone, Ansai could overwhelm him. His fierce face twisted with contemptuous mockery as he released his Reiatsu, ridiculing his opponent's apparent overconfidence.
But his mockery wouldn't last long.
Through Ansai's maniacal laughter, Akira stood his ground. His body tensed like a drawn bowstring, fingers clenching into a crushing grip that erupted with a thunderous boom.
⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Ikkotsu ⥤ Origin Style: Single Bone! ⤬
Without hesitation, he unleashed his mightiest strike.
Bang!!
As their fists collided, Ansai felt heat rush toward his face — as if he faced not this youth, but Genryūsai himself.
This was no illusion, but reality itself.
The purple flames frantically burned through his projected Reiatsu defense until it shattered completely.
Genryūsai calmly observed the battle.
Though uncertain of Akira's method, Ansai had reverted to his state before merging with the Soul King's power. He no longer posed the same threat.
Letting his disciple handle this wasn't a poor choice.
It would both test his recent training and build his reputation. Though he hadn't mastered his Shikai or learned his Zanpakutō's name, his strength rivaled some Captains.
Perhaps becoming a Captain would steady this young man.
As Genryūsai pondered this, Akira's excited roar echoed across the ruined barracks.
⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Chōshinsei Nenshō ⥤ Origin Style: Supernova Burning! ⤬
His punches reached such speed they ignited the air, transforming the world into a sea of flames.
Countless punch shadows erupted between the two, overlapping and intersecting.
Like an extreme symphony unfolding, the intense melody burst forth, transforming the battlefield into a grand performance hall.
Having lived for over a thousand years, Ansai had never fought such a frustrating battle.
Though his Reiatsu was stronger and his combat skills matched his opponent's, Ansai found himself completely overwhelmed, without any chance to counterattack.
⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Kaen Hōsha ⥤ Origin Style: Flame Discharge! ⤬
Fists poured down like torrential rain, completely submerging him. If not for his Reiatsu defense, Ansai would have been reduced to ruins like the surrounding buildings.
This battle was unlike his clash with Shiraki Shin'ichi or his fierce fight with Szayelaporro.
Akira knew the gap between himself and Ansai wasn't large, especially since his opponent had already been weakened by Genryūsai. The current Ansai was his perfect match, and this relentless suppression was the ideal strategy.
Any hesitation would invite Ansai's thunderous counterattack, and the tables would turn instantly.
His gaze fell, eyes burning with inner flames.
Akira's heart pounded wildly as battle intent surged through him like a searing brand, turning his blood to boiling magma that pulsed through his veins!
⤫ Jōshō Denkaen Henkō ⥤ Elevated Electric Flame Transformation! ⤬
White lightning coursed through him, electrifying every nerve. His spirit soared to new heights, his consciousness razor-sharp as all his training crystallized—from basic Hakuda to advanced techniques, Death Sword Style to Genryū Style.
Every movement flowed naturally, his body crafting the perfect offensive stance.
Like a deity!
Genryūsai watched intently from the ruins, his eyes fixed on Akira.
He had helped reshape his student, using overwhelming force to break down and rebuild his combat awareness.
But now Akira had evolved further — his refined combat awareness had fused completely with his instincts!
Down to his very core, through flesh and bone to the depths of his nerves, pure killing instinct had been etched into his being.
This was true instinct.
In simpler terms, he had become more dangerous.
His movements blurred with impossible speed, faster than Ansai's eyes could follow. His punches rained down like a storm.
Each strike carried the force of an 'Atsuryoku Sōsai'.
As his Reiatsu shield crumbled, Ansai felt his strength failing, his vision growing dim.
The young man before him seemed to merge with a figure from his past — though they were different people, in this moment they became one.
"Yamamoto...!" Ansai roared desperately, forcing out his remaining Reiatsu for one final counter.
Akira paused, raising an eyebrow.
Had the old man been hit so hard he was hallucinating? Why call out the old man's name when Akira was clearly his opponent?
Or was there some hidden history between Ansai and the bald eagle?
In that instant, his mind conjured up various forbidden images, nearly causing his brain to crash.
"You still have breath to call out someone else's name? Seems my old man's fists aren't powerful enough!" Akira shook his head vigorously, clearing away the distracting thoughts. He grinned fiercely at Ansai, "Let's end this match with my strongest move!"
As his words faded, Ansai's pupils contracted at the impossible sight before him.
Purple flames surged back like water, converging on Akira's right fist to form a gauntlet. His finger bones made spine-chilling cracks, as if being crushed by an overwhelming force.
But what truly commanded attention was his demon-like smile.
Genryūsai, who had been watching the battlefield intently, suddenly tensed. He narrowed his eyes, releasing his Reiatsu to sense his disciple's condition.
His eyes widened the next moment, blood pressure rising as he cursed under his breath, "You fool, you'll shatter all the bones in your hand!"
Akira made no response. Beneath the purple flames, his muscles and fascia trembled frantically as he compressed his power into every inch of his form, condensing it into lines and focusing it to a single point.
He concentrated all power from the inscribed Kidō patterns to one focal point, ready to release it in a devastating Ikkotsu.
⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Kurenai Raikou Sōka: Ikkotsu ⥤ Origin Style: Crimson Lightning Azure Fire: Single Bone! ⤬
Ansai desperately mobilized his Reiatsu, his lips bleeding from strain as he barely managed to summon his final defense.
⤫ Bakudō #81: Dankū ⥤ Splitting Void! ⤬
A transparent wall of light materialized before him, forming an supposedly unbreakable barrier.
Akira's fist crashed against it with a thunderous boom that could split clouds and shatter stone.
Did it block the attack?!
Ansai's eyes lit with wild joy, and he prepared to cast another Kidō to strike down Akira, who couldn't retreat after his assault.
But in that instant, spider web-like cracks spread from the point of impact across the wall of light!
Crack!!
The barrier shattered with a deafening sound, sending countless shards of light bursting between them, each fragment reflecting brilliant colors of Reiatsu.
Akira's fist broke through, striking squarely into Ansai's chest cavity. The sound of breaking bones echoed from the aged body.
Before Ansai could cry out, he stared fixedly at the young man, his lips trembling with unspoken words.
Thunder and burning heat exploded through his body, erupting into a massive pillar of light that pierced the heavens!
Scorching winds howled, obliterating everything in their path!
The ground quaked as countless dust particles swirled up, caught in the thunderous maelstrom that spread in all directions!
All eyes turned to the battlefield's center, transfixed by this worldview-shattering display.
So a Shinigami could unleash such terrifying power even without a Zanpakutō!
Or perhaps this was what it truly meant to be a Shinigami?!
As the dust settled, onlookers wore complex expressions, their minds wrestling with the gravity of what they had witnessed. When the scorching winds dispersed and smoke cleared, they saw Akira's swaying figure emerge.
The final attack had drained his Reiatsu completely and ravaged his body, despite his exceptionally strong Spiritual form.
Any ordinary Shinigami would have been half-turned to dust by such power.
Ansai had fared worse — he was nothing but ashes now, his ambitions crumbling with his body.
Genryūsai moved forward to steady his disciple. His face darkened as he assessed the damage.
The fool had pushed far beyond his limits. The excessive force had pulverized half the bones in his right arm.
Such devastating injuries would have forced any other Shinigami to face amputation and retirement.
Hopefully Unohana can treat this...
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
After some time passed, Akira slowly opened his eyes.
The location had changed — he was no longer in the ruins of the 1st Division's barracks, but in a familiar room at the 4th Division's Coordinated Relief Station.
"Too weak..." Akira sighed, frustrated that fighting such an insignificant opponent had forced him to use his ultimate killing move.
Not only had it completely drained his Reiatsu, but it had also left him weaker than he'd ever been.
Even his right arm... Wait, why couldn't he feel anything?
Could it be that his Little Righty...
"Now you understand fear?" A gentle, familiar voice sounded beside him.
Akira turned his head to see his personal physician—
Retsu Unohana.
"When fighting others, did you never consider the consequences?" Her tone was calm, but her words carried clear reproach.
Having finally found a genius, only to have him do this to himself.
"An opponent of that level should have been left to Captain-Commander Yamamoto. Why did you have to be so reckless?"
Hearing this, Akira sighed helplessly and said, "That old man Ansai was the head of the Tsunayashiro family. Even though his ambitions led him to commit unforgivable crimes... it still shouldn't have been left to old man Yama to handle. After all, as Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13, he has too many things to consider."
"When the nobles realize the Gotei aren't as stable as before, new turmoil will emerge, which will sweep across the entire Soul Society. The hard-won order would vanish in the process."
Unohana fell silent, her gaze carrying a hint of something different.
After a moment, she asked slowly, "Did you come up with this yourself?"
"Ha, of course!" Akira grinned, thumping his chest proudly with his good left hand, practically wearing the word 'pride' on his face, "As everyone knows, my wisdom transcends past and present—"
But Unohana suddenly interrupted him.
"With the Tsunayashiro conspiracy crushed and their family suffering unprecedented damage, what will happen next in Soul Society? Will new barriers form between the nobles and the Gotei 13, and what kind of turbulence will arise among the nobles? What roles will the Shihōin and Kuchiki play in all this..."
"Ahem, Captain Unohana, that's a bit too many questions..." The barrage of questions left him speechless.
What should he do? Aizen hadn't taught him the answers to these questions.
Can someone help? This is urgent, waiting online.
Truth was, his head was still foggy — unleashing power beyond his limits had left him unable to think clearly.
Otherwise, he could have at least given an answer that matched his personality, like saying Soul Society would enter a Warring States period of competing powers...
Looking at Akira, whose forehead was bulging with veins as he struggled to respond, Unohana heaved a deep sigh.
She knew it. Though she hadn't spent much time teaching him, her perceptive nature had already shown her that this young man who brought her such amusement wasn't good at thinking things through.
Or rather, Akira was better at solving problems through intuition.
"You should focus on how you're going to spend the coming time instead." Unohana said with a resigned expression, "Although I've used the best medicines and healing techniques, and your recovery ability is extraordinary, your injuries are too severe. You won't be able to engage in any strenuous activity for the next few months, let alone training or fighting."
Akira was dumbfounded.
Though he'd known his condition was serious, he hadn't imagined it would be this severe.
Just then, there was a knock at the door...
⤫⤬⤫
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