Two days had passed since escaping from the Coordinated Relief Station.
While others still recovered from their injuries, Akira had already returned to normal. This swift recovery wasn't just due to Aizen choosing the highest-grade treatment plan for him (that's why he paid so much before) — it also stemmed from the changes in his Spiritual Body.
After all, even with Captain Unohana's superb medical skills and Kaidō, severe internal and external burns would typically require a lengthy recovery period.
Yet once his treatment finished, he could move freely. Two days of rest had restored him completely.
As Aizen put it, the carefree ones always heal the fastest.
During this time, Akira had familiarized himself with the enhanced effects of his newly inscribed Shakkahō Kidō pattern.
First, his Reiatsu had increased by one level, reaching level 53, Rank 11 Spirit Class — a ridiculous pace of growth. After all, Shinigami were long-lived beings, and except for a few monsters, increasing one's Reiatsu was typically a gradual process.
Then there was the added high-temperature property. Though the Shakkahō Kidō pattern inscription remained incomplete, his Spiritual Body quality hadn't improved.
Still, these changes were extraordinary. Though his Reiatsu remained at the Seated Officer level, Akira felt confident he could hold his own against certain Vice-Captain level opponents for a few moves — perhaps even land the first strike.
So, let's see who the invincible Head Priest's opponent is!
Oh, it's the even more invincible Sōsuke Aizen. Never mind then. Might as well go to sleep.
At Tessai's command, the Kidō combat practice officially began.
Akira had no intention of holding back, nor did he grasp the concept of being low-key. Since he was already famous at the Shin'ō Academy, he might as well be flamboyant!
⤫ Hadō #31: Shakkahō ⥤ Red Fire Cannon! ⤬
He opened with the very same spell that had backfired on him two days ago.
The scorching flames condensed into a massive fireball, igniting the air instantly. With a crimson eruption, deep rumbling filled the space as waves of searing heat spread out, forming visible ripples that surged forward violently.
Tessai drew in a sharp breath of hot air, feeling the scorching sensation in his lungs. He couldn't believe that this same person who had blown himself up could now release such a perfect Shakkahō.
The spell was flawless in every aspect — power, release speed, everything. Even if he were to cast this Hadō himself, it would only be marginally more powerful.
'So, how did this kid manage to self-destruct?' He wondered, 'Could it be some kind of unspeakable special habit?'
The fireball charged forward, carrying violent heat waves straight toward Aizen, its intense temperature distorting the surrounding air.
Faced with this level of attack, he stood calmly in place, as unperturbed as still water, the very picture of composure.
⤫ Bakudō #21: Sekienton ⥤ Red Smoke Escape! ⤬
His calm voice rang out at the perfect moment as crimson smoke erupted from beneath his feet, enveloping his position. When the Shakkahō entered the smoke, its force remained undiminished, sending waves of heat skyward.
"Is it... is it over?" A student asked, stunned.
From their perspective, Akira's Hadō had been flawless. Had they been in Aizen's place, they would have been reduced to ashes instantly.
⤫ Bakudō #4: Hainawa ⥤ Crawling Rope! ⤬
The calm voice emerged from the red smoke, and a near-invisible light rope — like a striking viper — shot forth, crossing dozens of meters in an instant.
Akira spotted the attack and instinctively used Shunpo to retreat.
But his Danger Instincts flared. His steps halted abruptly as his peripheral vision caught a brilliant flash of lightning to his right rear.
"Did you notice?" Aizen stepped from the smoke, his footfalls matching the rhythm of heartbeats, radiating an indescribable pressure.
⤫ Hadō #4: Byakurai ⥤ Pale Lightning! ⤬
Though only the fourth Hadō, its perfect timing and angle made it deadly. With Aizen's Reiatsu, even Byakurai could shatter Akira's defensive barrier.
He dodged again. His Trait 'Light as a Feather' enhanced his Shunpo, letting him maneuver deftly within the confined space to evade the attacks.
⤫ Bakudō #9: Geki ⥤ Strike! ⤬
Aizen pressed harder, knowing his friend's capabilities well — this level of attack wouldn't be enough for victory.
Sure enough, after dodging another red light rope, Akira planted his feet and smiled.
"Sōsuke, that's just like you. But you haven't grasped the true essence of being a mage. Let me demonstrate, so watch and learn!"
As the shocked crowd looked on, he prepared to unleash everything.
"Disintegrate, you black dog of Rondanini!! Look upon yourself with horror and then claw out your own throat!!"
⤫ Bakudō #9: Geki ⥤ Strike! ⤬
Crimson light burst from his fingertips, surging forward in a devastating wave.
And this was merely the beginning.
"...Entangle, collapse, shatter, sever."
⤫ Hadō #11: Tsuzuri Raiden ⥤ Bound Lightning! ⤬
"...Write once, burn to ash, slit and hang."
⤫ Hadō #14: Tetsu Kiri Ha ⥤ Iron-Cutting Blade! ⤬
"... Inferno and pandemonium, the sea barrier surges, march on to the south!"
⤫ Hadō #31: Shakkahō ⥤ Red Fire Cannon! ⤬
"...Truth and temperance, upon this sinless wall of dreams unleash but slightly the wrath of your claws!!"
⤫ Hadō #33: Sōkatsui ⥤ Blue Fire, Crash Down! ⤬
Incantation after incantation flooded the entire Kidō barrier without pause. The Reiatsu, woven from both Hadō and Bakudō, surged through the space like waves, enveloping everything from floor to ceiling.
Brilliant light erupted at full force, cracking through the air like iron whips and producing sharp, piercing whistles. The continuous rumbling that followed resonated like ancient oaths within the barrier, accompanied by endless rolling thunder.
Empowered by the Trait 'Kidō Mastery', Akira became a living spell machine gun, unleashing Bakudō and Hadō without restraint. Every Kidō technique ever taught or mentioned at the academy manifested within the barrier in rapid succession.
On this day, the students witnessed the true meaning of AoE (Area of Effect)!
In contrast, Aizen remained modest and elegant. He eschewed flashy incantations and grand displays of Hadō light.
Instead, he seized opportunities within the brilliant chaos, using perfectly timed Shunpo to launch precise Bakudō and Hadō that nullified attacks during the brief intervals between flashes.
Where the priest demonstrated mastery of AoE attacks, Aizen exemplified the art of Precision Strike!
⤫⤬⤫
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