Chapter 148 – 148 ⥤ Acknowledgment

⤫ Hadō #31: Shakkahō ⥤ Red Fire Cannon! ⤬

Kisuke extended his right hand forward, gathering a large amount of Reishi in his palm that erupted into intense flames, forming a massive fireball.

Seeing this, Marenoshin nodded in satisfaction.

It was indeed impressive — both the speed of execution and power were noteworthy. Even he couldn’t have performed better than this fighter.

As expected, Akira was right. Kisuke was truly a rare talent.

BOOM!

The intense heat left a scorched mark on the training ground’s floor, the smell of burning spreading everywhere.

Seeing this, the observing members of the 2nd Division showed surprised expressions. They hadn’t expected such a skilled fighter to be hidden among the regular squad members.

Wait. What was that young man doing?!

When everyone noticed Akira, their pupils contracted, and even Marenoshin’s expression changed as he instinctively moved to intervene.

But it was too late. The Hadō struck his body directly, explosive flames instantly engulfing him.

Before anyone could cry out in alarm, a completely unscathed figure walked slowly out of the flames, grinning fiercely at Kisuke.

“Show me your full power, Kisuke.”

The corners of Kisuke’s eyes and mouth twitched simultaneously — was it too late to surrender now?

He didn’t want to fight monsters; someone could die.

The Shinigami watching from the side were dumbfounded. Despite their rich combat experience and encounters with many talented warriors, Akira had shown them what true diversity among species meant.

So Shinigami could tank a Shakkahō head-on!

⤫ Hadō #32: Ōkasen ⥤ Yellow Fire Flash! ⤬

⤫ Hadō #33: Sōkatsui ⥤ Blue Fire, Crash Down! ⤬

Gritting his teeth, Kisuke released two consecutive Hadō, incorporating advanced techniques of Twofold Incantation (Nijū Eishō) and Spoken-After Incantation (Kōjutsu Eishō).

Everyone present immediately noticed his impressive display of skill. The 2nd Division Shinigami now clearly understood the extent of his abilities.

He was at least at the level of a Senior Seated Officer!

Marenoshin’s expression grew grave. It was his oversight that such talent had gone undiscovered within the squad. He would need to thoroughly examine every squad member from now on.

The blue explosive flames, wrapped in cherry-colored shock waves, swept across the floor, leaving a black scorch mark.

“Now that’s more like it.”

Akira raised his sword upward, displaying exquisite Zanjutsu as a silvery-white arc reflected before him, like a full moon illuminating all directions.

⤫ Jigoku Tsuki Hakai ⥤ Hellish Moon Destruction! ⤬

Many had misconceptions about him since he hadn’t used Zanjutsu in so long. In truth, his style could be both graceful and elegant.

The blade’s light slashed downward, splitting the double Hadō in two and sending them crashing into the floor on both sides.

Akira closed in, sweeping his Zanpakutō horizontally. Blade light trailed behind as Reiatsu burst forth, cutting cross-wise and leaving deep sword marks in the floor.

The aura was fierce, creating a suffocating atmosphere.

Yet surprisingly, Kisuke didn’t immediately fall. Instead, he appeared composed, even managing counterattacks during the brief gaps between Akira’s strikes.

Though his counterattacks couldn’t inflict any meaningful damage.

“Awaken…”

⤫ Shikai: Benihime ⥤ Initial Release: Crimson Princess! ⤬

Red light bloomed as a crimson glow flashed across Kisuke’s Zanpakutō, subtly altering its form.

Most significantly, his Reiatsu surged, nearly matching his opponent’s level.

But even with his full power released, Akira’s dominance only grew more terrifying. His overwhelmingly fierce sword attacks expanded like a relentless storm.

Silver blade light and red sword pressure crossed paths — the latter shattering on contact, completely powerless.

⤫ Kamisori, Benihime ⥤ Razor, Crimson Princess! ⤬

Crimson sword pressure erupted forth, carrying powerful Reiatsu in a direct slash.

CLANG!

The sound of clashing metal echoed through the training ground.

Facing the unwavering Akira, Kisuke’s heart skipped a beat. Unable to avoid this fight, he hadn’t held back at all, hoping to prevent that crazy man from challenging him again on a whim.

For a permanent solution, he’d been willing to reveal some of his power.

But he hadn’t expected that even at full strength, he would be so thoroughly dominated—without a single chance to fight back throughout the entire match.

⤫ Chikasumi no Tate ⥤ Blood Mist Shield! ⤬

⤫ Tenrin Kōken ⥤ Celestial Steel Fist! ⤬

Bang!

The Blood Mist Shield shattered under Akira’s single punch.

⤫ Nake, Benihime ⥤ Sing, Crimson Princess! ⤬

Countless crimson light arrows burst forth, only to be blocked effortlessly by his Zanjutsu.

⤫ Shibari, Benihime ⥤ Crimson Princess of Binding! ⤬

The blade emitted web-like black Reiatsu to bind Akira, but he tore through it with brute force before the subsequent fire orbs could connect.

Despite his unassuming physique, Akira’s Spiritual Body possessed terrifying strength. Neither hastily executed Hadō nor Zanpakutō techniques could breach his defenses.

Each time Kisuke blocked his sword strikes, overwhelming force transmitted through the blade. After just a few clashes, Kisuke’s arms had gone numb.

It was beyond overwhelming.

Finally, under the relentless assault, Kisuke collapsed to the ground, frantically waving his hands.

“No more, I surrender!” Benihime lay stuck in the floor as he trembled, exhaustion evident across half his body.

Victory had never been within his reach.

Akira calmly retrieved his scabbard from the wall, sheathed his sword, adjusted his appearance, and approached Kisuke.

For him, this level of combat had barely qualified as a warm-up. Still, given the acceptable performance, he decided to be lenient.

“Not bad, not bad, this level of strength is sufficient.” He grabbed his paperwork machi— ahem, I mean — his brand new colleague’s shoulders and lifted him from the ground, “I’m satisfied with your performance, now let’s talk about your reward.”

At those words, Kisuke’s heart nearly stopped.

The last time Akira mentioned rewards, he had revealed his bureaucratic nature, presenting mountains of paperwork with a one-day deadline. After such a display, who knew what scheme he had planned this time.

He was about to refuse, but Akira cut him off.

“From today on, you’re my 11th Division Lieutenant!”

Kisuke: “?”

This wasn’t merely terrifying — it was horrifying!

How could he, a mere Shinigami Officer, possibly deserve to be the 11th Division Lieutenant?!

“This isn’t really appropriate, is it?” Kisuke grimaced under the heavy pressure of his hand.

“What’s appropriate or not appropriate about it?” Akira waved dismissively, “If I say it’s fine, it’s fine. Lieutenant appointments don’t need approval from Central 46, nor do we need to consult old man Yamamoto. Besides, your strength barely passes, and your wisdom is second only to mine. For the position of Lieutenant, no one suits it better than you, Kisuke!”

Seeing no way to refuse, Kisuke could only manage a smile more pained than tears.

He had truly fallen into a den of thieves. His miserable future stretched before him.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

West Rukongai, 1st District.

Flourishing Entertainment District, Magic Mouth Tavern.

“Senior Brother Shunsui, is it really okay to bring me here without Lieutenant Lisa knowing?”

Akira gazed at the rippling sake in his cup, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.

Since coming to this world, he’d rarely indulged in alcohol. The few bottles of sake he received from sign-ins were offered as sacrifices to Mimihagi. From its reactions, the One-Eyed God seemed to quite enjoy these offerings.

Given Mimihagi’s help, Akira had taken to keeping all sake and similar items aside for future offerings.

Well, as long as the boss is happy.

Shunsui stroked his stubbly chin, “Well, if you don’t tell and I don’t tell, who’s going to know? Little brother, don’t be so uptight. Balance in life is the right approach.”

He beckoned, and a beautiful geisha in a kimono came to his side, respectfully pouring him sake.

“Besides, your senior brother is treating, what are you afraid of?” Shunsui took a small sip and chuckled, “Plus, this is the most luxurious tavern in Rukongai. There’ll be performances by the oiran later.”

“That won’t work.” Akira shook his head, “I probably won’t be able to watch tonight.”

“Why?” Shunsui looked up, startled.

“I have plans to view the moon with Sister Hana.”

“Sister Hana?” Shunsui’s puzzlement turned to shock as realization dawned, “You don’t mean… Captain Unohana?!”

Akira nodded, appreciating his goodwill but accepting it only in spirit.

The sake was good, and the geisha were beautiful — but they were too soft and delicate.

In comparison, Unohana suited him better.

Beautiful and strong, once she got into the zone, she was even fiercer than him — truly worthy of being called the first Kenpachi.

“You can fool your senior brother, just don’t fool yourself.” Shunsui laughed, patting his shoulder, “If you’d said you were going moon-viewing with one of the Shihōin girls, I wouldn’t have doubted it at all. But if you’re talking about Captain Unohana…”

He shook his head, clearly disbelieving.

Akira didn’t say anything more.

After sampling the sake and finding it to his liking, he packed up two more bottles to take with him, charged everything to his dear older brother’s tab, and left the Magic Mouth Tavern.

Watching his retreating figure, Shunsui thoughtfully rubbed his rough chin.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

4th Division, Training Ground.

Heavy, viscous killing intent permeated the spacious grounds, as if piles of corpses and seas of blood lay within. Bone-chilling murderous air filled the space freely.

When the sound of a sword being drawn rang out, Unohana moved.

The white figure glided across the floor, clothes billowing, and when steel met steel, brilliant sparks flew.

Akira held his breath, focusing intently as he drew his sword to meet the attack. He started with a reverse diagonal slash, perfectly executing the Death Sword Style with hints of his own Death Slayer Style.

Seeing this, a hint of joy flickered in Unohana’s gentle gaze.

From initially barely managing to parry, to fighting steadily, and now reaching an equal match — truly worthy opponents — his progress was visible to the naked eye.

Shinigami have extremely long lifespans, so training in any aspect is measured in years.

For example, achieving Shikai takes several decades or longer. Shinigami with poor talent might die without ever knowing their Zanpakutō’s name.

As for Bankai, that’s even more difficult. Any Shinigami who can master Bankai deserves to be recorded in Soul Society’s history and documented in textbooks.

So talent like Akira’s was already quite extraordinary.

Whether in Zanjutsu, Reiatsu, or other aspects, his performance could be called once in a hundred years.

Unohana smiled slightly, her fair hands gripping her curved Zanpakutō, and as she pointed her toes lightly, she remarked.

“How delightfully exciting. But with your level of skill, I suppose I don’t need to hold back anymore?”

Looking at the smile that concealed killing intent behind its gentleness, a chill ran up Akira’s spine as survival instinct spread frantically through his skull.

The momentary blur nearly made his entire consciousness submit to that terrifying killing intent.

The next moment, the white figure flashed by silently, appearing before him. Reverse-gripping her Zanpakutō, she slashed toward his neck.

The movement was gentle and soft, seemingly without threat, like a lover’s tender caress.

But what Akira actually sensed was ice-cold killing intent at its peak. Swift and fast — if not for his Danger Instinct’s early warning, this strike would have severed his throat.

Unlike their usual sparring, under the moonlight, Unohana seemed to have unsealed herself, letting her killing intent flow freely.

Bang!

The blade was instantly blocked.

⤫ Jigoku Kumo Wakatsu ⥤ Hellish Cloud Parting! ⤬

Akira cleared his mind of all distractions, focusing solely on countering her masterful swordplay.

Through the shimmering air, he raised both arms high, his blade gleaming as it cut an arc that caught the silver moonlight.

The unfinished curve hung suspended in the moonlit air, cleaving through Reiatsu before meeting Unohana’s Zanpakutō.

Brilliant sparks erupted!

Her expression brightened with battle-joy, her braid beginning to unravel as deep red Reiatsu clung to her form like blood plasma.

The killing intent froze the very marrow of one’s bones!

⤫ Jigoku Akuma Kiri ⥤ Hellish Demon Cutter! ⤬

In one fluid motion, Akira’s blade unleashed a tempest of the Death Sword Style, releasing countless dazzling techniques. His blade’s radiance pierced the darkness, outshining even the moon above.

Pure delight flashed in Unohana’s eyes as she found herself matched against a worthy opponent.

Their clash escalated in ferocity. Raw killing intent saturated the air as blade-light scattered in all directions.

Splat—

The sound of torn flesh echoed across the training ground as blood spattered Unohana’s cheek, painting crimson patterns across her snow-white skin.

Watching him fight on despite his wounds, her lips curved into a smile as she whispered:

“I’m so grateful… To witness your growth, time and time again…”

⤫⤬⤫

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