T/N: Perhaps I should mention to those who are interested that this fanfic is already at Chapter 265? There are 22 extra chapters and over 40,000 words waiting for you!
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Aizen discovered a new research topic.
A Shinigami's potential varies with external threats. As the saying goes, potential is like the human heart — squeeze it and there's always more to give.
When Kagerōza realized his plan was exposed and the situation became dire, he fled, his speed suddenly surpassing that of many Captains.
Though Aizen possessed countless ways to stop him instantly, the watchful eyes in Seireitei constrained his actions. After careful consideration, he simply tracked Kagerōza's Reiatsu from a distance to avoid losing him.
During the pursuit, they unexpectedly encountered Zaraki, fresh from defeating a Captain. The sight spurred Kagerōza's Shunpo to even greater speeds, like a meteor streaking across the sky.
Just as death by Zaraki's hand seemed certain, Kagerōza's dual-bladed sword spun swiftly. A perfect duplicate appeared beside him — identical in both appearance and Reiatsu.
Through this deception, the fugitive successfully evaded capture.
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Meanwhile, Akira continued battling the replicas, his wild fighting style drawing excited cheers from the watching division members.
With Genryūsai absent and other Captains sealed away, Akira had become a spiritual pillar for many Officers by taking charge and turning the tide.
"As it should be, as it should be!"
"Captain Kisaragi is truly the people's choice!"
"Haha, seeing such a battle between strong ones is worth dying for!"
"Whew, this is so exciting it's giving me chills!"
"Captain Kisaragi, we adore you!"
Amid the cheers, waves of Reiatsu surged forth, obliterating the Reigai with overwhelming force.
If Captains fell before Akira's fists, mere Lieutenant-level opponents stood no chance.
The only troublesome ones were those members of the 11th Division. Their Reiatsu was not only powerful, but their coordination was impeccable — they could read each other's thoughts with just a glance.
Such a group would be considered exceptionally strong in any era.
Unfortunately, their opponent was a flawless all-round battle god. As he withstood their Shikai and even Bankai while delivering devastating blows, the ruins were repeatedly plowed into fine dust that accumulated in thick layers on the ground.
After disposing of all the Reigai, Akira left the cleanup to the late-arriving Kaname and others, using Shunpo to follow the Reiatsu trail Aizen had left behind.
His adopted son was frail, unable to fend for himself — if anything unfortunate were to happen, wouldn't it be tragic for one young person to bury another?
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Kagerōza pushed his Shunpo to the limit, squeezing out every ounce of his potential. He had never run this fast in his life.
Yet that suffocating sense of cold still enveloped him from all sides, as if he had never truly escaped the other's control.
He gritted his teeth, wielding Raikū to create multiple Bakudō and Kidō barriers to intercept his pursuer.
However, just as the Kidō formed, another terrifying Reiatsu descended from above, surging like a broken dam. Where it passed, the air stagnated, its crushing pressure creating the illusion of doubled gravity.
Under such force, he stumbled, barely keeping his footing.
Kagerōza looked back, caught sight of Akira's demon-like grin, and in terror, crawled away on all fours — dignity forgotten.
"Stay away from me!"
The carefully layered Kidō shattered under Akira's single rushing punch, its remaining force hurtling toward Kagerōza.
He instinctively raised his sword to block, but an unimaginable force struck him with hurricane-like winds, smashing him into the ground. Pain wracked his body as countless bones shattered.
Only now did he truly grasp the vast gulf between himself and a true power.
Originally, Kagerōza had believed that merging with his other half would let him dominate Soul Society through sheer strength. That single punch had awakened him to reality.
Dominate Soul Society? Perhaps he needed more realistic goals.
Surveying the transformed landscape, Aizen's feelings grew complex.
True — while he could achieve such power himself, matching that husky's effortless display would prove challenging.
Somehow, that foolish boy who once needed his help for revenge had grown into one of Soul Society's mightiest warriors. Even without supervision, Akira could easily resolve a crisis that threatened to destroy them all.
Watching him descend from the sky and create a massive crater, Aizen's expression turned subtle.
Years of painstaking effort had finally borne fruit. The Husky he had raised had indeed learned how to wreck the house.
Akira approached Aizen, narrowing his eyes and staring at him — his instincts correctly sensing his adopted son's rather disrespectful thoughts.
Never mind, let bygones be bygones. With a great enemy before them, they needed to focus on resolving the crisis first.
Once this was over, he would definitely sneak into this guy's kitchen and devour all his precious glowing cuisine!
Akira dug Kagerōza out from the crater, shook off the dust, and briefly examined him.
"Let's send him to the Junrinan laboratory." Aizen said, "Kagerōza possesses a special power that requires thorough analysis through dissection."
Akira nodded, offering no objection.
Though Kagerōza lay unconscious from the pain, the familiar sensation emanating from his body sparked certain theories in Akira's mind.
Could it be related to the Soul King?
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The 11th Division's overwhelming strength had completely suppressed a crisis that could have destroyed Soul Society.
After this battle, the various powers in Seireitei gained a clearer understanding of the famous Combat Division.
To put it simply, they were all monsters — not a single normal person could be found in that division!
While the replica Reigai were nearly as strong as their originals — sometimes even achieving reverse kills — they were still cut down by members of the 11th Division. This group carved their way from the 11th Division to the 2nd Division without hesitation.
Among their achievements, a youth who wasn't even a high-ranked Seated Officer instantly killed the 9th Division Captain Kensei Muguruma and felled the 10th Division Captain Shiba Genroku with his Zanpakutō.
Zaraki himself cut down both the 7th Division Captain and Lieutenant in succession, his fighting style perfectly mirroring his Captain, Akira Kisaragi.
The only difference was their choice of weapon — one used a sword while the other used fists. They were fundamentally the same.
Most remarkably, after killing Jin'emon Kotsubaki, Zaraki rushed straight to the 5th Division and engaged Shinji Hirako's replica in fierce combat, destroying the division's barracks in the process.
Trading blow for blow in a life-or-death battle, Shinji ultimately fell in defeat.
After this battle, the 11th Division's prestige stood unmatched — even the 1st Division couldn't overshadow them.
After all, during this major crisis, the 1st Division merely sent officers to clean up the battlefield. Captain-Commander Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto never made an appearance.
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1st Division.
Chōjirō watched admiringly as Genryūsai sipped his tea, "As expected of the Captain-Commander. Your skill in teaching disciples has reached new heights. Captain Kisaragi managed to quell this incident completely, with minimal casualties."
Genryūsai's expression remained unchanged, "Chōjirō, you see only the surface — you haven't grasped my deeper intentions."
Chōjirō furrowed his brow, processing this information before looking up, "Could it be..."
Genryūsai nodded, "Indeed, this too is about creating momentum. After the recent upheaval with the Tsunayashiro Clan, the power struggles between nobles, and the rebel army uprising, I've come to understand one deep truth: human greed can never be satisfied."
Chōjirō fell silent.
The old man tossed another roasted sweet potato to the eager Sōton before continuing:
"As head of the Five Great Noble Houses, the Tsunayashiro wield power that surpasses even the Central 46. Their status places them above Soul Society's laws. The other four Great Noble Houses are the same, and while the upper and lower noble houses may not be their equals, they still stand far above ordinary citizens and Shinigami. They created Soul Society's stability, yet also caused countless internal conflicts.
That group thinks I've grown senile with age, so they act recklessly behind the scenes — murdering commoners, harming colleagues, conducting forbidden experiments. Little do they know, I don't confront them only because of this hard-won stability."
Chōjirō's face showed surprise, but quickly settled.
Having followed Genryūsai for two thousand years, he had witnessed every transformation in the elder's character.
From the renowned founder of Genryū Style to the merciless Captain-Commander of the Gotei 13 who fought for Soul Society, from the Sword Demon who destroyed everything to becoming more restrained — gradually caring about everything around him as the strongest Shinigami protecting Soul Society's stability.
And now, he had become one who frequently brawls with his disciple and often gets his blood pressure raised.
The period of greatest change began when Akira entered the Genryū School. In just a few short years, the old man's personality transformed repeatedly.
Initially, anyone who violated Soul Society's laws faced appropriate punishment. Later, it became acceptable as long as bottom lines weren't crossed. Now it had become simply: whatever, as long as Soul Society isn't destroyed.
All these changes could be credited to that troublemaking disciple.
Taking another sip of tea to wet his throat, Genryūsai continued:
"Look at now — thanks to that troublemaker's influence, the nobles have become more restrained. While unrest hasn't vanished entirely, it's much better than before. But after just a few years of peace, these fools are getting ideas they shouldn't have. Perhaps it's time to replace this corrupt system." The old man sighed helplessly, "I no longer have the temperament, nor am I suited for such work.
But that troublemaker is different. He's lawless enough to kill even Ansai Tsunayashiro — what wouldn't he dare to do? When he succeeds as Captain-Commander, he'll surely bring unimaginable reforms to Soul Society. Of course, if the Central 46 dares to meddle, I believe that fellow will do things nobody wants to see. Most importantly, that kid Akira isn't the type to crave power."
Chōjirō fell into contemplation.
Though familiar with Genryūsai's personality, hearing such rebellious words still struck him as strange.
But after brief consideration, a smile appeared on his face. Whatever happens, things tend to develop for the better.
Captain-Commander Kisaragi, huh?
It's truly something to look forward to...
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"The analysis results are in." Aizen lifted his gaze from the Reishi microscope and looked at the hyperactive husky beside him, taking a deep breath, "These black crystals are essentially modified souls. According to Kurotsuchi's research materials, this disturbance originated from Sōya Azashiro's proposal — the Mod Soul Project. However, this plan was too extreme, and with your interference, Sōya chose to abandon it. You've seen his outcome.
But the Central 46 didn't abandon the related plans, and secretly launched Project Spearhead, with Ōko Yushima — Kagerōza Inaba's previous "form" — as the person in charge."
As he explained, Akira recalled the general plot.
Simply put, it was a story about a psychopath trying to destroy Soul Society through technology.
"The Reigai technology has been completely decoded." Aizen explained, "However, its foundation isn't Mod-Souls, but rather the Soul King fragment existing within Kagerōza's soul. According to dissection analysis, it should be an organ similar to a Shinigami's Hakusui. The Reiatsu it contains isn't particularly strong, but it possesses the ability of 'sharing'..."
He was enthusiastically explaining, but when light snoring sounds came from the laboratory, his mood instantly plummeted.
Looking at Akira's nodding head before him, Aizen pushed up his glasses and said expressionlessly:
⤫ Hadō #90: Kurohitsugi ⥤ Black Coffin! ⤬
Soon, Tom's screams erupted in the laboratory, followed by a declaration of independence in opposition to Aizen.
After taking a solid hit from Kurohitsugi, Akira became much more docile.
He had no interest in the Soul King's fragments; rather than watching Aizen's experiments, he'd rather steal his glowing cuisine. There was still plenty left from the dishes he had commissioned Aizen to make last time — it was time to clear them all out.
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When Akira returned from the Rukongai, an unexpected figure caught his eye. She wore a snow-white haori, carried a smile gentle as flowing water, and gazed at him with eyes full of nostalgia and anticipation.
Unohana approached him slowly, her lips curving into a subtle smile.
"Kisaragi-kun, the moonlight is beautiful tonight, I wonder..."
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