The person who completed all this lay sprawled on the ground like a dead fish, taking in more breaths than letting them out — clearly on his last legs.
"This time, we took a huge loss." Akira said painfully after recovering, "Back in the Sakahone District, performing such a high-grade ritual would have earned at least ₭8,000 to ₭10,000. This time we did it for free, lost a bell, two incense sticks, and a ceremonial wand. A complete loss with no profit."
Aizen swept an expressionless glance at his companion, "You made the decision yourself, and now you're the one regretting it. If I hadn't been beside you just now, the ritual ceremony wouldn't have been completed, and you might have been affected yourself. Don't you ever have a reliable moment?"
Hearing this, Akira furrowed his brows, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.
Just when Aizen thought this fellow might be turning over a new leaf, he heard a firm and resolute answer.
"No!"
Aizen: "..."
Resisting the urge to slash his sword at someone's head, he turned his gaze to the distance.
The wailing continued, extreme grief clearly audible in the voice.
To Sōya, from now on, he would truly be alone. The pain from his youth was playing out before his eyes once again.
The helplessness hadn't changed at all. Even though he had become one of the dozen strongest Shinigami in the Soul Society, he still couldn't bring back his sister's life.
Whether one was strong or weak, in the face of life and death, it made no difference. Even someone as powerful as Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto couldn't change this reality.
Sōya was immersed in grief and couldn't pull himself out.
At the execution grounds.
Aizen's eye twitched as he watched Akira stuff the offering table into his crotch. Despite having seen it many times, he still couldn't understand this guy's peculiar tastes.
"Are you planning to give the bell directly to Captain Azashiro?"
"How could that be possible?" Akira's eyes widened as he waved the bell showily, "This is a sacred item that I obtained through great effort and countless Reiryoku. With my devout faith in Lord Mimihagi..."
"Does it need extra payment?" Aizen asked helplessly.
"You know me well, Sōsuke." Akira grinned.
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
After some time, the grieving voice finally subsided, and Sōya reappeared at the execution grounds.
The grounds had returned to their usual calm.
When he came before Akira and Aizen again, the 8th Kenpachi had regained his characteristic ice-cold mask — even colder than before, like a mountain of ice that would never melt.
"Despite the accident, thank you, Akira."
Sōya was a person of principle. He knew his actions had been quite offensive. Neither this priest nor Aizen should have been involved in such matters.
But back in the 32nd District of East Rukongai, Akira's ritual technique had directly revived the dead, stirring ripples in his previously calm state of mind.
If possible, even if just to see her one more time...
With that hope, he had activated his Urozakuro's ability, creating a clone that appeared in the temporary quarters to make his request.
Though not expecting much, he had brought them to this execution ground that buried his pain. Fortunately, Akira hadn't disappointed him.
Now that they were involved, he decided to tell them about his original plan and hear their opinions.
"Regarding the 32nd District..." Sōya began coolly, "It was actually my test site."
"What do you mean?" Akira looked up in confusion.
Sōya explained coldly, "To modify all residents of the Rukongai, grant them the ability to eliminate Hollows, and finally invade Hueco Mundo. The 32nd District incident was just the beginning. The next step will be to report this plan to the Central 46 and implement it..."
Before he could finish, he noticed Akira, whom he had considered his benefactor, showing a subtle change in expression.
"The Rukongai you mentioned — it wouldn't happen to include the Sakahone District, would it?"
Sōya nodded impassively, "Naturally. To eliminate Hollows, we need many..."
Shing—
The sound of a blade being drawn cut off his words.
Aizen was shocked to see Akira displaying an unfamiliar side he had never witnessed before.
Wild Reiatsu flowed freely, wrapping around the silver-white blade. His face, usually playful, had transformed in an instant to show absolute calm without a trace of emotion.
"You should know. I come from the local shrine in the Sakahone District..." A dangerous light flickered along Akira's blade, "That place is my home."
Sōya nodded slightly, "I know. But sacrificing the individual for the greater good, isn't that what a true Shinigami should do?"
Magnificent blade light and invisible Reiatsu collided in the air, sparking flames that illuminated two expressionless, eerily calm faces in the darkness.
"To hell with Shinigami..."
⤫ Tenrin Shunko ⥤ Celestial Flash Sword! ⤬
A violent sword attack erupted like a raging storm, wind and rain rushing forward.
The invisible Reishi gathered in massive quantities throughout the air, forming blade after blade of light to block the overwhelmingly fierce strikes.
Bankai, Urozakuro! The power to merge one's own Reishi with that contained in other living or non-living things, then manipulate them at will.
A hint of surprise flashed in Sōya's eyes.
His Bankai had merged with all the Reishi in the Seireitei, allowing him to monitor everything within this space. Yet brain processing had its limits, so he could only observe the parts he deemed important.
Places like the Shin'ō Academy weren't worth his attention.
Now, witnessing his outburst, he was genuinely surprised. Who would have thought that beneath that carefree exterior lurked such ferocity? Even facing an existence countless times stronger than himself, Akira still dared to draw his sword to protect what he cherished.
'Akira, you have already far surpassed me.' The corners of Sōya's mouth lifted in a barely perceptible smile.
Akira gripped his Zanpakutō tightly, his cold gaze falling like a blade upon the figure before him. The difference in strength meant nothing.
He knew only one thing: if he didn't stand up to protect now, then truly no one would care.
However, just as the battle intensified, a familiar voice rang out again.
〈 Sōya Azashiro's trust level has reached the threshold. Check-in condition achieved! 〉
〈 Character Check-in: Sōya Azashiro! 〉
⤫⤬⤫
T/N: If you want more chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!
For just $1 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!
That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
https://www.patreon.com/mrblackwing