Chapter 186 – 186 ⥤ What Do You Think, Kisuke?

Looking at Ganryū bleeding on the ground, Akira grinned maliciously as he stepped forward, binding him with two Bakudō spells. He then swiftly rounded up all the other members of the Ryūdoji clan.

Having shown restraint in his attacks, he had only severely injured them. For those near death, he didn’t hesitate to use his Reiatsu, casting healing Kaidō to keep them alive.

Seeing that these would-be world destroyers were still breathing, Kisuke couldn’t help but ask curiously.

“Captain, aren’t you going to kill them all?”

Akira stepped on Ganryū’s head while tightening the chains with one hand, ensuring he couldn’t break free of Kūkan Mukai’s suppression. At the question, he turned back in surprise.

“When did I ever say I was going to kill them? Kisuke, you’re being too extreme.”

Kisuke: “?”

You’re not going to kill them after coming all the way to the Valley of Screams?

He suddenly realized Akira’s condition must be worsening. The poor Captain was losing the battle and becoming more addled…

Before Kisuke could inquire further, Akira delivered a downward punch that instantly knocked the glaring Ganryū unconscious.

Seeing their leader in such a helpless state, the other subordinates didn’t dare make a sound, barely daring to breathe.

“Yama-jii always teaches that heaven’s net casts wide but lets nothing through, and under Soul Society’s laws, everyone is equal. As a righteous person, I cannot allow these madmen with their world-destroying ideologies to plot evil in the Valley of Screams. This is called preventing problems before they arise. I’ll take them back to Soul Society to face legal judgment. Given their crimes, they’re looking at a minimum of 30,000 years in the Mugen.”

Upon hearing this, Kisuke’s gaze grew increasingly skeptical.

If anyone else had said these words, he might have believed them. But this was Akira — the person who least respected Soul Society’s laws. If they followed the laws strictly, even nine lives wouldn’t cover his death sentence.

“You don’t believe me?” A threatening gaze locked onto him.

“I believe you!” Kisuke’s response came out submissively.

After bundling up all the Ryūdoji clan members, the black chains formed a massive sphere that resembled a starry sky. To ensure complete security, Akira cast several Bakudō spells.

Bakudō #61: Rikujōkōrō, Bakudō #62: Hyapporankan, Bakudō #63: Sajō Sabaku, and Bakudō #30: Shitotsu Sansen flowed from his hands effortlessly, making the black iron chain sphere shimmer even more like a celestial display.

{T/N: #61: Six Rods Prison of Light; #62: Hundred Steps Fence; #63: Locking Bondage Stripes; #30: Beak-Piercing Triple Beam}

With that done, Akira turned his attention to the massive pillar of light in the Valley of Screams’ center. Like a giant magnet, it drew countless lost souls, which merged into a green jade bead within the light.

“Kisuke, what do you think?” He pulled Kisuke closer.

As the second most brilliant mind in the 11th Division after himself, Akira knew Kisuke would offer a sound explanation for the phenomenon before them.

“Based on our previous lab tests and records…” Kisuke began seriously, “Blanks are spirits accidentally drawn into the Dangai during the reincarnation process between the World of the Living and Soul Society. They gather uncontrollably, forming this Valley of Screams beneath us. What we’re seeing now is some essence within the Blanks being pulled together by the Ryūdoji clan’s power, creating that jade bead.”

He gestured toward the jade bead floating in the light pillar’s center.

“From what I can tell, this jade bead must be the Ryūdoji clan’s key to destroying both Soul Society and the World of the Living.”

As Kisuke explained his deduction, Akira’s memory clicked into place.

The Shinenju — a collection of countless soul memory fragments. Its immense power could erode the barrier between the World of the Living and Soul Society, causing them to collide physically and leading to worldwide destruction.

But wasn’t the Shinenju supposed to manifest as a beautiful Shinigami girl?

If he remembered correctly, her name was Senna. Perhaps his early intervention meant the Shinenju hadn’t fully formed, remaining in an embryonic state?

“What’s sweet for you is also sweet for me.” Akira circled the light pillar, studying it carefully, “Since the Ryūdoji clan wants this so badly, we’ll beat them to it. We’re taking it all back with us!”

With that declaration, he shattered the light pillar with one punch and reached out to grasp the Shinenju.

Kisuke seemed about to advise against it but hesitated. Before he could speak, Akira had already acted. Now they could only proceed step by step.

Just then, a thunderous rumbling came from outside the valley, like an army of dump trucks charging forward. The ground shook violently, dust clouds billowed, and the dark sky grew even darker.

A sharp, grating voice cut through the distance — it was Mayuri.

“Captain, we can’t hold on! The Kōtotsu has broken through all our Kidō barriers!”

Kisuke’s expression changed drastically as he rushed to open the Senkaimon.

As the ancient gateway materialized, Mayuri arrived. Before he could even greet them, Akira grabbed him by the collar and hurled him through the portal. Kisuke and the starry sphere followed next.

When it was Akira’s turn, the Kōtotsu loomed dangerously close.

Without hesitation, his Shihakushō burst open, golden flames and silver lightning erupting from his shoulders like rocket boosters.

⤫ Shunkō: Kūhaku Hakai ⥤ Flash War Cry: Single Empty Destruction! ⤬

His straightforward punch unleashed an explosion of Reiatsu that made the ground roar. Hurricane-force winds whipped up massive dust storms that pressed forward in waves.

The concentrated air cannon shot forward at terrifying speed, piercing straight into the Kōtotsu’s massive form.

The enormous being froze in place, then its mountain-like body hurtled backward, leaving a burning trail across the dark sky. It crashed into the Dangai’s ground with devastating force, creating a massive crater as dust clouds billowed skyward.

The effect was outstanding!

Akira admired his handiwork with satisfaction — until he saw the Kōtotsu climbing from the crater, its broken body regenerating visibly as it rumbled toward him once more.

His eyes blazed with fighting spirit as he took a deep breath. Then, without another word, he turned and fled…

Only a fool would fight this thing head-on. Can’t handle it, time to run.

As Akira vanished through the Senkaimon, the chaos in the Dangai subsided, as if the world’s protagonist had left the stage.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

“When sight is abandoned, doesn’t the Reikaku (Spiritual Sense) become sharper? Your task now is to master yourself, bringing out every bit of power perfectly. Since you can’t fight like Zaraki does, why not discover techniques that suit you? When Akira returns, you can ask him about the Death Sword Style.”

In the 11th Division training grounds, Aizen spoke calmly.

Across from him sat Kaname Tōsen, his eyes gently closed. Though Aizen wasn’t an officer of the 11th Division, Kaname showed him exceptional respect.

As everyone knew, Sōsuke Aizen was the 3rd Seat of the 12th Division and Akira’s close friend. While his position alone might not warrant Kaname’s attention, his connection to the Captain made things delicate.

Kaname had noticed how Akira displayed unprecedented ease in Aizen’s company — clear proof of their genuine friendship.

A blind person’s perception is remarkably keen. Having lost his sight, Kaname paid careful attention to everything else. Respecting Aizen was, by extension, respecting Akira.

During their time together, Kaname discovered that this 3rd Seat’s knowledge surpassed even Lieutenant Kisuke Urahara’s. Whether discussing combat fundamentals or theoretical concepts, Aizen could explain anything with effortless clarity.

He was, without doubt, the most brilliant mind Kaname had ever encountered. And wisdom naturally commands reverence.

“The Captain knows swordsmanship too?” Kaname’s face showed surprise at Aizen’s last words.

“People always have prejudices about me! When have I, Akira Kisaragi, not aspired to be an elegant and refined swordsman?”

Both men’s expressions froze as they turned toward the voice.

A black figure materialized through Shunpo. Akira approached them, patting Kaname’s shoulder, “Let me give you some advice as your teacher — never underestimate anyone. Everyone has their merits…”

As he lectured his subordinate, Aizen studied him closely, brown eyes narrowed.

“About the Death Sword Style, I’ll teach you after I finish my business.” Akira grinned, turning to Aizen, “Sōsuke, guess where I’ve been?”

“I don’t know where you’ve been.” Aizen adjusted his new square-framed glasses, his scholarly demeanor evident, “But I do know that if you’ve lost your Captain’s haori, Captain-Commander Yamamoto will give you an unforgettable lesson.”

Akira: “?”

After this reminder, he finally realized his Captain’s haori had been destroyed during the final battle with the Kōtotsu. Since the Shihakushō could repair itself, he hadn’t even noticed.

Now he was in trouble. His mouth twitched at the thought of Yama-jii’s iron fist of love — he wouldn’t die, but he’d certainly get quite a beating.

But who knew when Genryūsai would find out? Since he wouldn’t get beaten right now, it was as if nothing had happened.

The show must go on!

Seeing Akira bounce back to his carefree state in the blink of an eye, Aizen could only sigh helplessly.

If it were Rōjūrō or Kensei, they’d be panicking themselves to death by now. Only this guy could remain so completely unconcerned.

“Let’s not talk about this anymore. Remember how the experiment hit a bottleneck? I’ve found a solution, come with me!” Akira waved to his friend with a mysterious expression.

With that, he vanished from the training grounds in a flash of Shunpo. Aizen followed closely behind.

Seeing the two leave, Kaname remained deep in thought.

Since the Captain’s haori was so precious, shouldn’t he, as a subordinate, help solve his superior’s problem? Though he wasn’t skilled at sewing, the capable Lieutenant Urahara would surely have a solution.

Time to go find him!

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

In the bright, spacious laboratory, a huge starry sphere dominated the center.

Aizen was surprised by such an extraordinary sight. He hadn’t expected Akira’s solution would involve bringing experimental materials.

Although Kūkan Mukai completely suppressed the Ryūdoji clan’s Reiatsu, the quality of these experimental materials was frighteningly high, judging by their purity.

Under his questioning gaze, Akira detailed their journey to the Dangai and formally introduced Genryū Ryūdoji’s identity.

“Destroy Soul Society?” Aizen was somewhat surprised.

He’d thought his friend had just gone to cause trouble again, but he’d actually gone to protect the world. For someone with his Husky-like nature, this was rather rare.

After hearing the narrative, a thoughtful look flashed in Aizen’s eyes. Without doubt, the Ryūdoji clan perfectly met the requirements for their upcoming experiments.

However, before proceeding with higher-intensity experiments, he had one question that needed answering.

“The Shinenju you mentioned…” He raised his head, meeting Akira’s gaze, “Where is it now?”

Though he saw science primarily as a path to truth, the appearance of an unknown entity still sparked his curiosity — especially one that shared similarities with their current research.

“It’s with Mayuri.” Akira paused briefly, then added casually, “He said the Shinenju sparked some ideas, and he wanted to study it further. Since I had no real use for it, I let him have it.”

Aizen nodded, unsurprised.

Despite Akira’s many flaws, his loyalty to his people was unquestionable. Upon learning of his experiment’s material shortage, he’d immediately ventured into the Dangai to retrieve the Ryūdoji clan.

And now, though Mayuri had sworn allegiance mere days ago, Akira had entrusted him with something as significant as the Shinenju.

How sincere indeed.

A smile crossed Aizen’s face as he spoke softly, “I’m curious about the Shinenju as well. Shall we take a look?”

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

They left the laboratory and made their way to Mayuri’s private research room in the 11th Division quarters.

Such was Akira’s trust that his palm print had been added to the door’s security system.

As he reached for the door, a maniacal laugh pierced the silence within.

“Yes, I’ve done it!”

⤫⤬⤫

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep