Chapter 171 – 171 ⥤ No Enemy Shall Stand Before Us

A crescent moon hung high in the pitch-black sky, scattered stars adorning its deep indigo hue. Two figures flew swiftly beneath the moonlight like shooting stars.

Given Akira’s own formidable nature, he readily supported Aizen’s unorthodox methods, and the two quickly set off for Hueco Mundo.

As Captain of the 11th Division, Akira’s extended absence could cause problems in the Seireitei. Aizen suggested a strategy: disappear for brief periods, then return when sought after, using training as an excuse.

After several attempts, others would grow accustomed to it.

Akira embraced this advice, spending his days wandering the Rukongai and occasionally visiting the Magic Mouth tavern — where Shunsui had once taken him drinking.

Yet after a week, the Seireitei continued as usual. Not only did other divisions remain unfazed, but even the 11th Division barely noticed their commanding officer’s absence.

Furious, Akira tripled Kisuke’s workload and assigned Mayuri, newly transferred to the 11th Division, to supervise his progress constantly.

He harbored no concerns about their possible collaboration. Mayuri’s disdain for those more talented than himself — as shown in the original story — made that clear.

In scientific matters, Kisuke held a slight edge. Mayuri, by comparison, simply possessed more focus and raw passion for science.

Aizen differed from both — for him, science was merely a convenient tool to achieve his goals, nothing more.

“By the way, where are we heading?” Akira turned, his fierce expression twisted by the rushing wind into something more demonic than human.

“Las Noches.” Aizen replied calmly.

He had grown used to his companion’s volatile nature.

“As expected of you, Sōsuke.” Akira praised, “You’ve planned Las Noches’ downfall in mere days. Should we seek allies?”

Aizen shook his head, “No need for such complications — we’ll overwhelm them directly.”

Akira: “?”

You must be Zaraki in disguise — the Aizen I know isn’t some brute who talks about overwhelming force!

Despite his surprise, seeing that Aizen wasn’t joking, Akira willingly played along. This direct approach suited him better anyway.

After all, what could be more satisfying than solving problems with your fists instead of complex schemes?

The two figures rushed through the moonlight, drawing the attention of a cheetah-like Hollow beneath the dunes. Its sky-blue eyes fixed upon them, battle spirit burning in its pupils.

“Shinigami…”

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Las Noches.

At the center of the massive platform, Baraggan Louisenbairn sat upon his throne, hollow eyes fixed on the Arrancar kneeling in the plaza below. He tilted his skull head, resting his bone hand at his chin, listening with feigned interest to his subordinate’s report.

“Your Majesty, Tier Harribel and her followers have repeatedly provoked us, killed Pikka and others, and declared they will never submit to Las Noches. Please, Your Majesty — send out Las Noches’ army to subjugate Harribel and her group!”

Hearing this, Baraggan let out a contemptuous laugh.

“Army? Numbers mean nothing before a Vasto Lorde. With such a narrow perspective, you’ll never grasp the vast gulf between Vasto Lordes and Adjuchas. If only Szayelaporro were still here.”

Only then did Baraggan realize how reassuring it had been to have a competent subordinate.

The Hollow army led by the Adjuchas had failed to complete many orders.

“How boring…” He sat up straight, “Perhaps I should venture outside — it’s been long since Las Noches’ reputation echoed through Hueco Mundo. Does anyone object?”

No one responded. The Adjuchas kept their heads down, as if fascinated by cracks in the plaza’s floor.

“Indeed, when I ask like this, there probably isn’t any answer besides ‘yes’—”

Slash—

The response came with the sound of tearing flesh.

A spinning Zanpakutō struck the Hollow guarding the palace, splitting it cleanly in half. Blood gushed like a fountain, instantly staining the white sand crimson.

The heavy scent of blood permeated Las Noches.

Two figures — one black, one white — materialized among the Adjuchas.

Before they could steady themselves, an Adjuchas rose up, its massive shadow looming over them with a thunderous roar. Without warning, a hand the size of a millstone descended, howling wind in its wake.

But faster than its movement was a thrown Zanpakutō.

The blade cleanly severed the Adjuchas’ neck bone. As flesh tore, the giant’s body froze, its crimson pupils wide with disbelief. Then, a line of blood appeared.

The intact head, trailing sticky blood, flew from the Adjuchas’ shoulders and crashed heavily in the plaza’s center under countless watching eyes.

“Not very friendly at all.” Akira sighed helplessly.

The Zanpakutō embedded itself in the platform steps, only its handle remaining visible.

Since he and Aizen had arrived at Las Noches, they’d encountered nothing but hostility — first the guard Hollow’s sudden attack, then the Adjuchas’s unprovoked assault.

They had come with good intentions; why couldn’t the Hollows understand?

“First time meeting — you must be the King of Hueco Mundo?” Akira stole Aizen’s line, addressing the huge skeleton on the high platform.

Baraggan maintained his leisurely demeanor, completely unmoved by his subordinate’s death.

Mere Adjuchas were countless in the vast Hueco Mundo, with more being born constantly. Two dead Adjuchas were hardly worth mentioning.

“Yes, I seem to have felt your Reiatsu before… Shinigami. Ah, I remember now — you two must be the ones who killed Szayelaporro?” Baraggan leaned forward slightly, his hollow eyes staring ahead.

It had been his oversight, neglecting to look after his subordinate Szayelaporro.

His change in attitude stemmed from discoveries other Adjuchas had made in Szayelaporro’s laboratory. These findings had helped him break free from his current state’s constraints, bringing him to a new realm.

The feeling of his unbound soul was like swimming in the ocean — body and mind completely relaxed. This new power had revealed a whole new world to him.

Now Baraggan found Hueco Mundo increasingly confining, and even his old nemesis no longer concerned him. Should that enemy appear now, Baraggan could destroy him with a mere wave of his hand.

“Since you killed my subordinate, you shall pay with your life.” He extended his pristine bone hand, “Before true despair descends, taste the terror of Hueco Mundo. My subordinates, show your full strength and put on a grand performance for your king!”

At his words, the Hollows prostrating below the platform erupted in excited roars, mixed with curses against the Shinigami.

Though these Adjuchas possessed human-level intelligence to enter Las Noches, to Akira, this barely elevated them above being mentally challenged.

As the Hollows launched their attack, deep purple flames erupted around his body, his overwhelming Reiatsu exploding forth. His demon-like figure closed in, murderous intent flowing freely across the plaza.

The crab-like Adjuchas charging at the front might as well have collided with an oncoming truck.

Akira grinned maliciously. Power burst from his fist, and the massive body before him stopped abruptly, flying skyward and disintegrating like brilliant fireworks.

Another instant death.

The Adjuchas watched this terrifying scene, frozen with twisted expressions.

If the previous instant kill could be explained as a sneak attack, this was different — direct combat had turned Findorr Calius into fireworks with a single punch.

Wasn’t this too extreme? Was this being truly a Shinigami?!

The vast plaza fell silent. The Adjuchas, bathed in blood rain, stared dazedly at the demon-like youth before them.

At this moment, the silent Aizen’s lips curved slightly upward, his calm smile suggesting everything was under control. He stepped forward, standing before Akira, blocking his view and facing the Hollows.

Compared to his brutal companion, the smiling Shinigami appeared utterly harmless — as if any Adjuchas could strike him down with ease.

“There’s no need to worry. I’m just a scientist, without power like his.” Under countless puzzled gazes, Aizen slowly drew his Zanpakutō, raising it before him with its tip pointing downward.

His stance conveyed no threat, resembling a coward about to surrender.

“This is my Zanpakutō. Its name is—”

“Shatter…”

⤫ Shikai: Kyōka Suigetsu ⥤ Initial Release: Mirror Flower, Water Moon! ⤬

In the haze, crystalline sounds of shattering glass echoed.

“Lowly Shinigami, what are you trying to do?” Baraggan demanded, “Are you offering your Zanpakutō in exchange for your life?”

“No.” Aizen replied, “I merely wish to confirm whether you, as King of Hueco Mundo, are worthy of staying alive. That’s all.”

His serious expression and precise words proved even more galling than Akira’s earlier arrogance.

As Baraggan stared at the unflinching Shinigami, his expression darkened.

Though a skull’s expression might seem abstract, the surrounding Adjuchas sensed the oppressive atmosphere of an approaching storm.

“Attack! Crush these insects!”

On one side stood Baraggan, the long-standing God King of Hueco Mundo; on the other, the terrifying Shinigami who had killed their comrade with a single punch.

The Adjuchas charged at Akira without much hesitation, filling Las Noches with dust and smoke. Their thick, viscous Reiatsu surged like a mountain torrent, collapsing peaks and carrying countless rock fragments in its wake.

Death descended without warning. Hot blood splashed across his face, and the saber-toothed tiger-like Ggio Vega froze in place as the normally pale scene turned crimson.

His companion’s body had exploded, just as Findorr’s had — but even more spectacularly.

What on earth had happened?!

Among the Hollows, Akira moved like a human battering ram, displaying extreme brutality. Once his Kidō markings activated, none could withstand his assault.

Yet, knowing these Adjuchas were valuable experimental materials, he carefully chose non-lethal strike points. Each punch would stun without damaging the brain.

Soon, groaning Adjuchas covered the ground, their will to resist crushed by overwhelming pain. The power gap between the sides had proven too vast for any meaningful resistance.

With his work finished, Akira looked up at Baraggan, still perched on his throne, waiting to enjoy the spectacle.

Hah, foolish Skeleton King, unable to see through even my adopeted son’s simple trick — he deserved to be replaced.

His right foot crashed down, shattering the hard quartz ground into cracks and craters. In a flash, he appeared before Baraggan.

Taking advantage of the king’s confusion under Kyōka Suigetsu’s influence, Akira’s hand shot straight for the skull.

The poor King of Hueco Mundo hadn’t yet grasped what was happening. As violent winds whipped around them, he reached for the giant axe at his purple robe — but his skull suddenly met an unstoppable force.

⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Ryūsei Ken ⥤ Origin Style: Meteor Punch! ⤬

The entire Hollow, throne and all, went hurtling toward the back of Las Noches.

BOOM!!

At the desert’s horizon, white sand erupted like a mushroom cloud, shock waves rippling through the sky in concentric rings. The aftermath raged like doomsday itself.

Sharp pain lanced through his bones, making Baraggan roar in fury. His massive Reiatsu erupted into a pillar of light, stirring up level 8 gale forces in all directions.

Through the rolling dust, a figure with a malicious grin stood nearby, waiting for the Reiatsu storm to pass.

At last, Baraggan saw his attacker clearly.

It was a figure with an exposed muscular body, wreathed in intense flames, the surrounding air distorting from the searing heat.

In that moment, the shadow of an old acquaintance flashed before his eyes, drawing forth an unconscious question.

“Shigekuni… Yamamoto?!”

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