The Zanpakutō gradually curved, and the surrounding ground seemed to seep with an endless flow of blood.
This Bankai… this Reiatsu…! Even Rukia Kuchiki, confined within the Senzaikyū, felt an overwhelming sense of dread.
"Th-This Reiatsu…!"
Rukia collapsed to her knees, her body drenched in cold sweat as she gasped for breath.
"Even through the Sekkiseki stone, I can still feel it…! Is such power even possible in this world?!"
It was unbelievable—unfathomable.
She had never sensed such an oppressive presence from such close range before.
"You should understand the difference… between a warrior who wields the strength of three and three Shinigami who only possess the power of one."
Unohana Retsu's voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight.
But then, she shook her head slightly.
"No, I shouldn't even ask you that… because you are clearly someone who surpasses the limits of a single strength. You should already know what I mean."
Akira narrowed his eyes. "That may be true. But do you believe that's enough to defeat me?"
"Who knows?" Unohana's lips curled into a small smile. "You are strong. But so am I. And yet, between the two of us… who is stronger?"
Her gentle expression slowly twisted into something darker, something sinister.
"So, I will not underestimate you. That is why I am using my Bankai from the very beginning—to show you my utmost respect."
As she spoke, her smile became a chilling grin.
"Surely… you won't disappoint me, will you? You'll let me savor this battle, won't you?"
"This… is the true nature of the strongest swordsman in the Gotei 13? The First Generation Kenpachi?"
Akira tightened his grip on his Zanpakutō's hilt.
He knew nearly every captain within the Gotei 13 and certainly did not overlook one of its longest-serving members.
From the very beginning, Unohana Retsu had led the Eleventh Division, the squad devoted to combat. She was the master of countless sword styles, an unparalleled warrior feared throughout Soul Society. For that reason, she carried the title of "Yachiru" — the Eight Thousand Styles.
Everything about her presence screamed of sheer power.
"Run, Aki!"
Despite her fear, Rukia forced herself to cry out.
She didn't know how Akira had managed to defeat so many captains before, but Unohana Retsu was clearly different.
She wasn't just a powerful captain—she was something else entirely. A true monster in battle.
And somewhere, lurking in the shadows, Kurotsuchi Mayuri was observing it all.
"Rukia… do you really believe I can't match her?"
Akira's voice was calm, indifferent even, to her desperate plea.
He understood all too well the nightmare that was Unohana Retsu. She was one of the few opponents he could not face with absolute confidence.
After all, in the near future, Unohana Retsu would go on to kill Zaraki Kenpachi again and again without even using her Bankai.
And that was after Zaraki had fought numerous battles, after his power had been gradually unsealed, and after he had attained strength beyond an ordinary captain-level Shinigami.
Yet even then, Unohana still slaughtered him repeatedly in an instant—only to heal him immediately after, so she could kill him again.
"This…"
Rukia faltered, unable to respond to Akira's words.
It was only then that she realized—perhaps Akira's strength, like Unohana Retsu's, was beyond her comprehension.
"I see," Akira said lightly, "it seems you have yet to witness true power with your own eyes."
"You will soon realize that in the face of absolute strength, your so-called terrifying Unohana Retsu… is nothing more than that!"
In an instant, the Hikari Mirror and the Sword of Oath of Victory materialized in Akira's hands.
A surge of Reiatsu, equal to—if not surpassing—Unohana's, erupted into the sky, clashing violently against hers.
"Unohana Retsu, I should be the one saying that!"
Lightning crackled and flames surged around Akira's body as his spiritual pressure intensified. He sneered, "Compared to the captains who once banded together against me and still fell, do you really think you alone can give me the thrill of battle!?"
Swah—!
As if heralding the beginning of war, the two warriors moved in unison!
Blades of gold and crimson tore through the air at unimaginable speed, clashing in a furious exchange.
Chong!
A deafening impact, like the collision of titanic beasts, resounded in an instant!
"Ah…!"
Rukia instinctively covered her ears from the sheer force but couldn't tear her gaze away.
Akira's Sword of Oath of Victory and Unohana's blade of destruction clashed violently, locked in a fierce stalemate.
"What overwhelming power…!"
Unohana felt a sharp pain in her palm as blood trickled down from the force of impact.
Her gaze flickered toward the radiant golden light flashing along Akira's blade, and she exhaled slightly.
"…I see. So this is how he contains such immense spiritual power without releasing it, using sheer force to overpower even Zaraki Kenpachi in direct combat?"
But that wasn't all.
If she wasn't mistaken, Akira had somehow already gained knowledge of her Bankai's ability.
Her Minazuki could reduce anything it cut to blood, an ability that bypassed conventional physical defenses. However—
"The energy enveloping that blade… it isn't physical. That means my Bankai might have no effect at all…!"
"It's too soon to be surprised!"
Akira sneered, raising the Hikari Mirror high before bringing it down toward Unohana's head.
"Dark Sword!"
Reacting instantly, Unohana unsheathed a hidden blade from within her sleeve—a short blade, the very same that would later gravely wound Zaraki Kenpachi in their final battle. Now, she was forced to reveal it here!
Chong!
The Hikari Mirror met the hidden short blade, locking the two warriors in yet another stalemate.
But Akira was not limited to swordplay alone.
Without warning, his mouth opened, and a searing torrent of dragon fire erupted with terrifying speed.
"Roar of the Dragon!"
"—!"
Unohana, the First Generation Kenpachi, reacted in an instant—lowering her stance just enough to evade the full brunt of the firestorm.
But then—
A sudden burst of blue light illuminated her face!
"Wha—!?"
Almost simultaneously, Akira's knee crackled with electric fury, transforming into a thunderous strike that connected with Unohana's midsection.
Boom!
Like a cannonball, Unohana was sent hurtling backward, crashing into the Shrine of Penitence with such force that the entire tower trembled.
Watching from the shadows, Rukia and Kurotsuchi Mayuri were left utterly stunned.
Against the terrifying Unohana Retsu—
Akira had actually seized the upper hand the moment the battle began.
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