Chapter 176 – 176 ⥤ Kisuke’s Romantic Entanglement

“Why aren’t you reacting?” Akira stared at the puzzled Aizen, feeling perplexed.

Was “The King Must Not Be Dishonored” supposed to work on people too?

“What reaction?” Aizen frowned, not understanding his nonsense.

“You know, when you look directly at me, do you feel any fear or awe?” Akira asked with a serious grin.

Aizen shook his head and answered bluntly, “No, you look the same as always — big head, thick neck, face of a brute.”

Akira: “?”

After several attempts, he finally understood the trigger conditions for this new Trait.

Simply put, it worked like an automatic ally identification system. Since Aizen harbored no hostility toward him, he naturally wouldn’t feel any awe-like emotions.

Understanding this, Akira’s eyes gleamed as he chuckled, “Sōsuke, try imagining me as an enemy.”

Though Aizen didn’t understand what this guy was up to, he complied out of care for his mentally challenged adopted son.

However, after several attempts, he gave up on this pointless endeavor, “It’s no use — your appearance is too deceptive. I can’t fool myself.”

Akira: “…”

Since Aizen couldn’t do it, there was no point in forcing it. He’d try it with Yama-jii after returning to Soul Society.

Having settled on this suicidal plan, Akira turned his attention to the glass container in the laboratory.

A slender body floated in the green liquid, golden and pink hair drifting like silk, emanating an otherworldly beauty — like an elegant work of art.

Aizen’s Test Subject #0, Szayelaporro Granz.

“Do you have any thoughts about Szayelaporro?” Aizen asked carefully, “Whether to have him work for us like Mayuri, or submit like Baraggan.”

Akira stroked his chin thoughtfully, “While all scientists are peculiar, each one’s quirks take a different direction. Kisuke’s always thinking about how to slack off, Mayuri pursues the unknown to extremes, and you, Sōsuke, use science as a tool to pursue your ideals of changing the world.”

“I don’t know much about Szayelaporro, but I see only one way — settle things through combat. If one fight isn’t enough to convince him, we’ll do it twice, three times, countless times. Keep him in constant battle, and no matter how tough Szayelaporro is, he’ll eventually submit.”

Aizen cast a surprised glance at him.

He hadn’t expected this seemingly simple-minded fellow to grasp the personalities of those around him so deeply.

Perhaps this was what truly made him magnetic — treating everyone equally while looking down on them all.

{T/N: I don’t hate you specifically, I hate everybody in the world equally!}

“Not a bad approach.” Aizen nodded approvingly.

Indeed, Hollows differed from Shinigami — while both worlds believed in the supremacy of the strong, Las Noches’ laws were far more brutal. This explained why Las Noches submitted so quickly after they defeated Baraggan.

The hierarchy in Hueco Mundo was also more rigid — among Menos, Gillians couldn’t resist an Adjuchas’s orders. Even when Adjuchas faced Vasto Lordes, their resistance was futile given the vast power gap.

“Prepare for battle.” Aizen said calmly, “Szayelaporro’s threat equals Baraggan’s.”

He pressed the metal button on the control panel.

Water rushed as Szayelaporro’s body settled at the container’s bottom, his skin regaining color while faint Reiatsu emanated from within.

His eyelids trembled before a pair of golden eyes slowly opened.

“Akira Kisaragi, Sōsuke Aizen…” His voice rasped from disuse.

He studied the two intently, as if burning their images into his memory.

Yet when his gaze fell on Akira, a strange tremor rippled through his soul — like prey sensing a natural predator.

Szayelaporro quietly averted his eyes, masking his shock. Though he couldn’t tell how long he’d been unconscious, the changes in their appearances suggested it hadn’t been decades or centuries.

But why had this Shinigami, Akira, transformed so dramatically? What had happened?!

“You recognize this place, don’t you?” Aizen asked quietly.

Szayelaporro nodded, “Las Noches, Laboratory Nine, for researching Arrancar techniques related to Hollows.”

Despite the new equipment cluttering the space, the familiar architecture was unmistakable. He could even detect the scent of Hollow flesh.

“Then you can guess what happened?” Aizen continued, his expression serene, as if discussing something trivial.

Undisguised surprise flashed in Szayelaporro’s eyes as his racing thoughts led to one incredible conclusion.

“You… killed the God-King of Hueco Mundo, Baraggan Louisenbairn?”

“To be precise, Akira defeated him.” Aizen corrected, “He is now the God-King of Hueco Mundo, not Baraggan.”

Beside him, Akira cooperatively stood tall, and the Aura of the God-King pressure immediately took effect, causing indescribable fear to rapidly grow in Szayelaporro’s heart.

{T/N: Since the Trait name is quite long, I’ll use Aura of the God-king which is cooler and at least easier to understand.}

The being before him had transformed into something indescribable. Meeting his eyes alone caused sanity to rapidly drain away.

Szayelaporro’s eye twitched. He no longer harbored any doubts about Aizen’s words — even Baraggan himself couldn’t have exerted such overwhelming pressure.

Now he burned with curiosity. What exactly had happened to transform a Shinigami so dramatically?

“Now that Baraggan has submitted, as his former subordinate, what is your choice?” Aizen revealed his true purpose.

If they could subdue him without bloodshed, that would be ideal.

Szayelaporro fell silent. As a rare Vasto Lorde in Hueco Mundo, he ranked among the elite in both research and strength. Submitting after mere words would diminish his worth.

He organized his thoughts and raised his head, ready to negotiate — but then he met that gaze again.

An inextinguishable fighting spirit solidified in the air, its killing intent freezing his blood. Though still contained in the glass container, he felt an inexplicable cold wind pierce like needles in his back.

In that instant, Szayelaporro felt plunged into a glacier, bone-chilling cold enveloping his body. It was like staring at death incarnate.

His thoughts froze, paralyzed by fear as the cold spread wildly through him.

Reiatsu surged, forcibly dispelling the terror.

Akira’s face bore a clear message: Life and death mean nothing — fight me if you dare!

So this was the new God-King of Hueco Mundo?

Questions swirled in his mind, but under their watchful gaze, he made his choice.

“I am willing to serve the new king…”

Someone grinned, “Pink Chinchorro Frajola, you won’t regret this decision.”

Szayelaporro tried to protest, “It’s Szayelaporro Granz, not Pink Chinchorro Frajola.”

“It’s all the same.” Akira waved dismissively, “Pink Chinchorro, what research projects have you been working on here in Las Noches? Bring them out, quickly!”

Aizen released the glass container at the perfect moment, setting the pink-haired Arrancar free.

Breathing in the long-missed Reishi of Hueco Mundo, Szayelaporro’s complexion brightened noticeably.

As a Vasto Lorde Arrancar, his abilities were formidable and well-rounded: High-Speed Regeneration, Hierro, Sonído, and more. Excluding special abilities, his base capabilities could rank first or second among all Vasto Lordes.

It had taken both Akira and Aizen working together to capture him, and even then at considerable cost.

His only weakness was poor combat experience. Had he possessed even half of Akira’s battle prowess, the outcome would have been uncertain.

“You both seem very at ease with me.” Szayelaporro said slowly after a moment’s thought, “Aren’t you worried I might suddenly turn against you?”

“Though you hide it well…” Aizen shook his head, “I can tell from your words and actions that your pursuits remain focused on science. Besides, you’ve seen Akira’s extraordinary qualities. With him here, I believe you won’t easily betray us.”

Hearing this, Szayelaporro’s gaze fell on the confused-looking Shinigami beside them. Since there was no longer any hostility, when their eyes met, his heart no longer felt any reverence.

After examining him for a moment, Szayelaporro’s lips curled into a smile, “Indeed. As long as His Majesty lives, I shall remain loyal.”

Listening to their cryptic exchange, Akira furrowed his brows. For some reason, these two gave off an ominous feeling…

Unlike Baraggan’s superficial submission and internal resistance, Szayelaporro worked enthusiastically, immediately bringing out all his research materials and laying them on the table. The documents related to Arrancar technology were placed right on top.

Aizen briefly looked through them, a flash of surprise crossing his eyes. Szayelaporro’s research in the field of Arrancar was more advanced than he had anticipated. With his assistance, they would surely be able to perfect the Arrancar technology and extend it into the realm of Shinigami hollowfication.

Aizen took a deep breath, then began asking about several key points. The two quickly engaged in intense discussion and debate.

Watching them talk animatedly, Akira suddenly felt somewhat superfluous. He listened briefly — well, he could understand every word — but soon lost interest and went off to exchange experiences with Baraggan instead.

After staying in Hueco Mundo for a few more days, since they couldn’t find any other potential Espada targets and to prevent someone from getting bored, Aizen sent Akira straight back.

{T/N: Espada are the Arrancars that were artificially transformed by Aizen. Now they will be part of a certain Shinigami’s army…}

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Seireitei, 1st Division. Tea room.

Genryūsai stared disapprovingly at his wayward disciple before him, baffled by what madness had possessed the boy to arrive so early, claiming mastery of some new technique.

The two had been locked in a staring contest for a full half hour.

“You fool, what exactly have you grasped?” Genryūsai thundered, “The First Division has many duties — I don’t have time to waste here!”

Things had finally settled down for a while, and he’d thought his wayward disciple had learned some discipline, but this proved to be merely a temporary reprieve.

Looking at the unflinching Yama-jii, Akira muttered, “This isn’t right, this doesn’t make sense.”

Given the Old Man’s frequent urges to beat him to death, how could he remain unaffected by the Aura of the King?

After pondering this repeatedly without finding an answer, Akira decisively gave up.

“Oh well, let’s settle this with our fists then.”

Hearing this, Genryūsai narrowed his eyes and simply removed his Captain’s haori, securing his Shihakushō at his waist to reveal his scarred, muscular upper body. A fierce aura swept forth.

As his teacher, he naturally wouldn’t refuse Akira’s challenge. It had been a while since he’d evaluated this boy’s progress — hopefully it wouldn’t disappoint.

Soon, powerful Reiatsu erupted within the 1st Division.

Scorching energy swirled above the barracks like an approaching apocalypse. Even the division’s elite soldiers couldn’t withstand it and retreated to a safe distance.

Chōjirō and Genshirō stared toward the training ground in shock and disbelief.

“Is this… Captain Kisaragi’s Reiatsu?!”

Though they were accustomed to Akira’s rebellious nature, the speed of his Reiatsu increase was terrifying.

He had been at Rank 3 Spirit Class mere days ago — how had he suddenly reached Rank 2?

Could this truly be what they called genius?

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That afternoon, Akira left the 1st Division’s barracks with a bruised and swollen face.

Even someone as arrogant as him had to admit that the old master was far more formidable. Genryūsai hadn’t even drawn his sword — using just his fists to pummel Akira into this state while barely breaking a sweat. The old man himself hadn’t received a single scratch.

It was truly humbling. The matter of defying heaven’s law would need more careful consideration.

After a brief recovery, Akira returned to his 11th Division.

To his surprise, the barracks buildings had undergone dramatic changes — judging by appearance alone, they were hardly different from the 12th Division now. The whole place had a high-tech feel.

Akira walked between the barracks, occasionally nodding in acknowledgment to the big guys passing by. Though he’d been gone for several days, his subordinates remained as loyal as ever.

Before he knew it, he arrived near the back mountain, where a massive Bakudō barrier enveloped a secluded area, forming a hazy screen of light.

Seeing this, he frowned. During his absence, Kisuke seemed to have created something remarkable.

With curiosity and questions in mind, he used his Kidō knowledge to easily tear open a gap and entered the barrier.

However, the scene before him made Akira draw in a sharp breath.

“Is this Kisuke’s romantic entanglement?”

In the distance, two figures stood facing each other. One was the familiar Kisuke Urahara.

The other was an elegant woman with a classical hairstyle, wearing a sleeveless kimono. Her beautiful face and lovely eyes were fixed intently on the man before her.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep