Chapter 145 – 145 ⥤ Enrakyōten, Release

6th District, Noble Quarter.

An ancient mansion, its understated façade masking opulent luxury within.

Library.

Tokinada Tsunayashiro sat quietly before a pile of broken stone tablets, studying the cryptic text etched into their surfaces.

The previous Dark Assembly Rebellion had kept him from attending the Noble Council Meeting, giving him time for quiet contemplation.

{T/N: Dark Assembly refers to the rebellion organized by Ansai, which apparently caused the Tsunayashiro clan to lose their chance to compete for positions in the Central 46.}

Though he had studied these texts countless times before, each reading of their hidden contents brought a malevolent smile to his face.

“Herein we record the sins committed by our ancestors.”

His voice echoed through the dim, empty library like an evil spirit as he read each word with deliberate care.

“…These are the dirty entrails of the Tsunayashiro clan — stone tablets preserved to counter potential threats from the other four houses. This rotten world is beyond salvation.”

Gazing up at the library ceiling, his lips twisted into a smile that overflowed with a perverse gratitude and love for all.

“The history of Soul Society proves my malice is justified… Let this world of evil and darkness embrace the fruits of all this. Kōga Kuchiki is just the beginning!”

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1st Division, Tea Room.

The four — master and disciples — sat awkwardly around a square tea table, exchanging uneasy glances.

“Yama-jii, you didn’t urgently summon us just to learn from our little junior brother, did you?” Shunsui scratched his head, “Though we haven’t accomplished much, we don’t deserve this string of criticism. I just got scolded by Lisa…”

“Master, I…” Jūshirō’s expression was heavy with guilt.

His reluctance to deal harshly with Sōgyo no Kotowari (his Zanpakutō) had left him stranded in Rukongai far too long. Had he not hesitated, the 13th Division might have been spared such serious losses.

Genryūsai studied his two disciples’ contrasting reactions, pondered for a moment, then turned toward the snoring Akira, several veins bulging on his smooth forehead.

‘Well, he had accomplished great things this time.’

He suppressed the urge to punch him again and repeated the kid’s words to the other two.

“Now, I want to know your thoughts.”

“I support this completely!” Shunsui was the first to speak up, “Let me tell you — the Tsunayashiro family’s crimes far exceed what our little junior brother described. Many haven’t even been recorded. You know, Yama-jii, those people excel at rewriting history.”

As head of the noble Kyōraku family, Shunsui clearly knew the inner workings of the noble houses.

Jūshirō pondered before saying with a frown, “The plan is feasible, but the aftermath concerns me. I worry the nobles might pressure Master through Central 46 over this decision, and it could affect our junior brother. Why don’t I lead this operation instead? Then they’d have to direct their anger at me…”

Before he could finish, Shunsui cut in: “Hey now, Jūshirō, what are you thinking? Your health may have improved, but is your mind not working? The Ukitake family couldn’t possibly withstand pressure from the nobles.”

“Our junior brother is the only suitable person for this! Don’t forget, he and the current head of the Shihōin family maintain quite an improper relationship. Plus, the Kuchiki family owes him for the Kōga incident. His every move influences all of Soul Society.”

At these words, all three turned to look at their soundly sleeping companion.

Though unharmed from his battles with Kōga and Muramasa, the fights had drained his spiritual and physical energy.

Pure excitement had kept him conscious just long enough to explain the entire plan to the old man.

“I see your point.” Genryūsai finally decided, “Kisaragi will command this operation, and you two will follow his orders while ensuring his safety!”

As the words fell, Akira jolted awake, “Is it time to eat?!”

All he received in return were three utterly bewildered looks.

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Countless Jigokuchō fluttered gracefully through Seireitei’s streets and alleys as an inexplicable tension filled the air.

Even the Shinigami Officers who didn’t understand what was happening quickened their pace instinctively.

6th District, Noble Quarter. Noble Council.

Yoruichi idly twirled a brush between her fingers, listening to the nobles’ fierce arguments with a helpless sigh.

She had never cared for these political matters, but her position demanded she attend the meeting to secure more Central 46 seats for the Shihōin clan.

As one of the Five Great Noble Houses, relinquishing power was unthinkable.

The death of all Central 46 members had shocked everyone. Yet no one mourned them, for what followed was inevitable — the noble houses, worshipping nothing but profit, scrambling for control.

The people in the meeting room had shed their noble elegance entirely, arguing like common merchants until their faces turned red.

Yoruichi suspected that if not for their mediocre strength, they might have started fighting to the death right there.

Just then, several overwhelming waves of Reiatsu erupted outside the meeting room in the Noble Quarter.

Her eyes widened as she rushed to the window in three swift steps.

“This is… Akira’s spiritual pressure?!”

Ignoring both the meeting and the nobles squabbling like dogs, Yoruichi shattered the window with one punch and vanished.

Others also sensed the surge of Reiatsu and turned toward its source in alarm.

“That seems to be the Tsunayashiro mansion, right?”

“What’s happening?”

“I sense Shunsui Kyōraku’s Reiatsu — have they lost their minds?”

“Fighting is strictly forbidden in the Noble Quarter!”

As the situation escalated, the others abandoned the Central 46 member selection and rushed from the meeting room toward the Tsunayashiro mansion.

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When Yoruichi arrived at the scene, she froze at the sight before her.

A squad of Shinigami under Akira’s command had surrounded the Tsunayashiro compound.

Standing high above, radiating arrogance, a certain figure shouted down into the depths of the mansion.

“Tokinada Tsunayashiro, your crimes are exposed! Come out and face your death!”

Several trembling figures emerged from the mansion with raised hands, clearly surrendering. They were branch family members who had rarely participated in the family’s darker dealings.

These people had only gained the right to live in the Tsunayashiro mansion after the Dark Assembly’s collapse and the previous clan head’s rebellion.

Jūshirō directed his subordinates to detain and escort them away.

“Well, well, what have we here?”

A man emerged from the mansion’s depths, wearing noble attire over a Shinigami uniform, his moss-green hair distinctive in the light.

“Kyōraku, Ukitake, and Third Seat Kisaragi.” Tokinada’s pleasant smile didn’t reach his moss-green eyes, which radiated an icy chill, “How disrespectful, entering the Tsunayashiro mansion like this. Are you declaring war on the noble class?”

Shunsui grinned, “Such lofty words. You immediately cast yourself among the noble class while painting us — the ones upholding justice — as villains.”

“Justice?” Tokinada’s smile widened, “To think the Gotei 13 now dares to speak of justice. You’re nothing but mere noble do—”

Swoosh!

A black chain cut through the air, striking toward his position before he could finish.

Tokinada’s eyes narrowed as he flash-stepped away.

Boom!

The ground trembled as a Zanpakutō, its hilt adorned with a black chain, crashed into the earth, its power carving out a deep crater.

The assembled nobles, who had rushed to the scene ready to defend Tokinada, watched with twitching eyes. Upon recognizing the attacker, they fell into wise silence.

3rd Seat of the 11th Division, Akira Kisaragi.

The same fierce warrior who, as rumor had it, had beaten Ansai Tsunayashiro to death before Genryūsai’s very eyes, then resumed his Shinigami duties without missing a beat.

Although Ansai had betrayed them himself, such conduct still left the nobles deeply traumatized.

“Why waste words with someone who has no honor? Let’s just take him down together.” The moment Akira laid eyes on Tokinada, he sensed an overwhelming malice.

The man before him seemed less a Shinigami than the embodiment of pure evil — someone harboring intense hatred toward all existence, determined to drag the world into a bottomless abyss.

This strengthened Akira’s resolve.

This man must not be allowed to live!

“You’re right about that.” Shunsui grinned, finding himself increasingly fond of his young brother disciple.

Not only did their personalities align, but their thinking matched perfectly. Once this matter concluded, he would treat him to drinks at the finest tavern in the pleasure district!

Looking at the nearby blade, Tokinada furrowed his brow.

He didn’t fear people like Shunsui and Genryūsai because they respected rules and considered the bigger picture, always approaching matters with reason.

But Akira had no interest in reason whatsoever.

So he turned again to look at Shunsui, who was preparing to draw his sword above, his eye twitching.

“Captain Kyōraku, at least let me die knowing why. You attack the Tsunayashiro house without cause — have you completely disregarded Soul Society’s laws?”

He could no longer waste time with flowery words — if he didn’t get to the point, Akira would strike again.

“Ah, don’t ask me about that.” Shunsui scratched his head, pointing to the smug figure beside him, “He’s the commander of this operation.”

As soon as the words fell, Tokinada’s pupils contracted and he retreated rapidly, only to hear another boom as another crater appeared in the ground.

Akira wielded his Zanpakutō like a meteor hammer, striking wherever he pointed, creating craters — quite the spectacular display.

The nobles watching from afar stood dumbfounded, especially Marenoshin Ōmaeda, who stared wide-eyed at the imposing man, immediately thinking of his good-for-nothing son.

Marechiyo Ōmaeda. His Zanpakutō Gegetsuburi had a similar form, so perhaps he could learn from Akira in the future.

How could he get anywhere with his mind always on food and money?

The position of 2nd Division Lieutenant would eventually pass to him. Marenoshin felt deeply anxious about his son’s incompetence.

“Third Seat Kisaragi, do you have nothing to say?” Tokinada made one last attempt, “Have you completely disregarded the law?”

“Ha, why talk to me about laws?” Akira grinned, “Well then, let me explain something to you. Remember Kakyō of Rukongai?… Actually, never mind — you’re not worthy of hearing it!”

{T/N: Kakyō is the ex-wife whom Tokinada killed.}

At these words, Tokinada’s expression changed dramatically. He now understood what these three were thinking.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Black chains thundered through the sky, crashing one after another into the vast mansion, leaving craters in their wake.

“Madman!” Tokinada cursed under his breath, drawing his sword as he retreated.

A brilliant pillar of Reiatsu shot skyward, painting the heavens and causing onlookers to blanch. The incoming black chains were instantly repelled.

Seeing this, Akira’s eyes lit up.

Good, resisting arrest — add another charge!

“Sip from the four seas, the heavenly shores entwine. Equally duplicate ten thousands, and sharpen…”

Under the Reiatsu’s radiance, a silver-white blade beautiful as a mirror extended from a tsuba formed of a square and cross wedge.

When the release incantation finished, the blade emitted a blinding light that made even Shunsui and Jūshirō shield their eyes.

It was impossible to look directly at it.

“A Zanpakutō that controls light?” Akira narrowed his eyes, but remained unaffected.

His Spiritual Body’s strength was on a different level from others — mere flash bombs had no effect on him.

⤫ Shikai: Enrakyōten ⥤ Initial Release: Law of the Bewitching Lucid Mirror! ⤬

When the final release command was spoken, the light vanished, leaving only the hilt in Tokinada’s hand. The blade before him seemed to have disappeared entirely.

“Collapse…”

⤫ Sakasama no Sekai ⥤ Inverted World! ⤬

He fixed his vile, malicious gaze on Akira above, a cruel smile curling his lips. A faint fragrance spread through the mansion, filling everyone’s nostrils.

Akira frowned slightly, about to act when everything before his eyes transformed.

Up became down, front became back, left became right. Tokinada, who had been standing on the ground, now looked down at him from above with a playful smile that suggested complete control.

In this moment, the world turned upside down!

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