Chapter 238 – 238 ⥤ The Old Man’s Incompetence

Akira showed a look of disdain, waving his hands dismissively.

“Don’t flatter yourself, woman. In both gentleness of heart and physical beauty, Sister Retsu far surpasses you.”

A startled expression crossed Unohana’s face.

“See, you’re not even acting the part.” Akira said, spreading his hands, “The real Sister Retsu would respond to such words with a gentle smile — like the first ray of spring sunshine warming one’s heart from within…”

Before he could finish, a fierce slash cut through the air toward his neck.

“Just as I thought.” Akira dodged sideways with contempt, “Though you may have Sister Retsu’s memories, impostor, the real Unohana would never fight like this. Simply swinging a Zanpakutō to kill cannot bring the true pleasure of battle.”

Unohana vanished with a light tap of her toes. In the next instant, she reappeared, her curved blade gleaming coldly as it arced toward Akira.

Clang!!

Metal clashed endlessly as her attacks, tinged with madness, struck wildly at vital points — head, neck, heart, spine.

Akira drew his sword in defense, wielding all the techniques he had inherited from Unohana against her.

The force was overwhelming. After their brief exchange, the impostor began to tire, disbelief crossing her face. Though her power perfectly copied the real Unohana’s, it wasn’t enough.

This was the legendary First Kenpachi — Soul Society’s unparalleled villain, one of only two Captains to survive that ancient war. Even among the current Gotei 13, her strength remained formidable.

Yet Akira suppressed such a being in mere moments. After several clashes, numbness spread through her body, sapping her strength.

How had he become such a monster? It wasn’t long ago that she had dominated him.

Clang!

Another blade counter unleashed a powerful impact, sending Unohana flying.

⤫ Jigoku Kumo Wakatsu ⥤ Hellish Cloud Parting! ⤬

As sunset’s final rays faded to darkness, a new moon rose slowly in the sky.

The elegant sword technique materialized in Akira’s hands, his brilliant Reiatsu intertwining and bursting forth with dazzling light. The radiance illuminated every stream, creating such beauty that even the rising crescent moon dimmed in comparison.

A flash of intoxication crossed Unohana’s eyes before surging killing intent replaced it. She unleashed the same technique, swinging her blade downward.

⤫ Shi no Ken-ryū: Kumo Wakatsu ⥤ Death Sword Style: Cloud Parting ⤬

Their twin moonlight techniques merged and locked briefly before one devoured the other into nothingness. Akira’s Death Slayer Style, undiminished, streaked toward the distant rooftop figure.

Moonlight flashed.

Splat!

Hot blood sprayed, staining the pure white captain’s haori. Surprise flickered across Unohana’s face before settling into satisfaction.

The plan had failed as expected, but this exquisite pleasure was undeniable. Unable to complete her mission, she would use her remaining strength to savor this hard-won thrill.

Unohana traced the sticky crimson trail from chest to abdomen, her lips curving as her cheeks flushed unnaturally. Her right hand rose, releasing killing intent so dense it was almost tangible, engulfing everything in sight.

Smile unwavering, she flashed forward, her Death Sword Style erupting like an expression of unrequited love.

Akira slightly furrowed his brows, using the same sword style to counter.

In an instant, their blades clashed countless times midair, their brilliant light causing buildings to crumble and the ground to split with jagged cracks.

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The commotion alerted nearby Shinigami, who rushed from their barracks to investigate.

At first, Genryūsai dismissed it as Akira’s usual troublemaking near the barracks. But when the fierce Reiatsu erupted, he realized something was amiss.

The Reiatsu stirred memories of a battle from a thousand years ago.

That woman — the 1st Kenpachi — who fought with reckless abandon, living only for battle’s thrill.

When he reached the barracks, he witnessed Akira, face expressionless, thrust his Zanpakutō through Unohana’s heart. Hot blood sprayed, staining their clothes crimson.

A familiar smile graced her flushed face, “What a pity…”

With those words, her Reiatsu vanished. Her body hardened like clay before shattering into countless pieces across the ground.

From the fragments fell a black jewel, landing directly in Akira’s hand.

A thoughtful look crossed his face — he’d seen something like this before.

Genryūsai soared skyward, fixing his wayward disciple with a frown.

“What was that battle about?”

At first, he’d assumed it was just Akira fighting Unohana — the volatile pairing of a madwoman and his foolish disciple wouldn’t have been surprising.

But when the kid killed her and she turned into a jewel, something clearly wasn’t right. His blood pressure might be high, but he wasn’t that senile.

“An interesting little toy.” Akira pocketed the jewel casually, planning to give it to Aizen as a gift. His expression unchanged, he explained, “Simply put, there’s a mole in Twelfth Division. They’re using technology to replicate Shinigami Captains, copying their memories and strength perfectly. The only differences are in personality. That Sister Retsu was a fake.”

Genryūsai narrowed his eyes but didn’t question the explanation.

He knew his disciple well — though usually unreliable, Akira always came through in critical moments.

As his division Officers would say: “When there’s no danger, Captain Kisaragi is the most dangerous. But once danger arrives, Captain Kisaragi is the safest.”

“How could you tell…” He paused before continuing, “That Retsu Unohana was fake? Her Reiatsu and demeanor matched perfectly with my memories.”

“That’s why I say you’re getting senile…”

Noticing the dangerous look in the old man’s eyes, to avoid Ryūjin Jakka suddenly chopping at his head, Akira quickly swallowed the rest of his words.

“Actually, it’s quite simple — three methods.” He glanced at the old man who was suppressing his anger, then spoke faster, “First is personality differences, which close acquaintances can easily notice. Second is the slight variations in Reishi fluctuations. As a Quincy, I naturally sense these… Yama-jii, don’t do anything hasty!”

Seeing Genryūsai’s hand move to his sword hilt, Akira quickly raised his hands.

The old man’s anger was understandable — his wayward disciple had listed two unreliable methods of identification, making it seem like he was merely toying with the situation.

“And the third?”

“The third is intuition.”

Genryūsai: “?”

Indeed, this seemed like the perfect opportunity to eliminate this troublesome disciple and restore peace to Soul Society.

“You fool! None of these methods would work for anyone else!” He raged, “Though I can’t fathom the mastermind’s purpose, such brazen actions clearly indicate malicious intent…”

“I know their goal.”

“What?”

“To destroy Soul Society.”

Genryūsai stared at his idiotic disciple, dumbfounded.

Soul Society faced imminent danger, yet here he was, engaging in pointless arguments!

“Don’t worry, Master.” Akira’s expression radiated confidence, “With me here, Soul Society is perfectly safe. These copies are nothing — I can destroy them with a single punch. Just stay at the First Division, enjoy some tea with Lieutenant Sasakibe, and I’ll handle everything smoothly.”

Hearing this, Genryūsai fixed him with a skeptical gaze, his doubt nearly visible on his face.

“Oh, and I need to borrow the Senkaimon at the Gotei 13 headquarters.”

Without awaiting permission, Akira dove straight into the barracks below.

The Gotei 13 Headquarters and the 1st Division barracks sat near the same mountain peak, connected by a network of passages.

After a moment’s consideration, Genryūsai followed. This reckless youth could easily fall into the enemy’s trap with one wrong move.

However, by the time he arrived at the Senkaimon, Akira had already entered.

Looking at the rippling portal surface, the old man was speechless. This kid excelled in everything except his impulsiveness — rushing headlong into situations without thinking. Such recklessness would surely lead to disaster.

Just as Genryūsai prepared to chase after him, the Senkaimon exploded. A dust-covered figure shot out, crashing hard into his aged waist.

The impact sent both of them flying like a rocket, collapsing the building as clouds of dust billowed skyward.

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Chōjirō arrived unhurriedly, with Genshirō Okikiba close behind.

The scene before him made him draw a sharp breath — the Gotei 13 Headquarters lay in ruins, and the crucial Senkaimon was completely destroyed.

“Captain-Commander Yamamoto, are you alright?”

As the words fell, two dust-covered figures emerged from the rubble.

“Kid, what exactly are you trying to do?!” Genryūsai, who had nearly lost his lunch from the impact, roared after catching his breath, “Why did you destroy the Senkaimon?”

“Ahem

…” Akira used his Reiatsu to shake off the dust, “I planned to get two helpers from Hueco Mundo, but the Dangai had been tampered with. Now we can only rely on ourselves.”

Moments ago, when he’d charged into the Dangai, he found no trace of the familiar Kōtotsu. Instead, a massive surge of Kōryū had rushed toward him.

Though Akira had initially planned to charge through by sheer determination, his Danger Instinct had erupted like a whistling kettle at his first step. At the critical moment, he fired a Shunkō: Ikkotsu forward, using the recoil to retreat from the Dangai.

Genryūsai narrowed his eyes, knowing the helpers Akira mentioned were likely Kisuke. Someone capable of developing Quincy-related technology was indeed an invaluable talent.

But the mastermind seemed to understand this foolish kid perfectly. Knowing Akira’s aversion to careful planning, they had blocked even the path to Hueco Mundo.

“Captain Hikifune might be able to help with this matter.” He mused, remembering that Kirio was also a brilliant scientist.

Chōjirō spoke up, “Captain-Commander, Captain Hikifune went to the World of the Living three days ago to gather experimental materials and hasn’t returned yet. She reported to the First Division before departing.”

Genryūsai’s eyes widened in realization.

The mastermind had calculated everything, choosing to strike precisely when other researchers were absent. Soul Society was left with nothing but fighters.

A wave of melancholy washed over him.

As he pondered countermeasures, Akira chuckled, “How narrow-minded — too narrow-minded. Do they think I have no one under my command? Don’t worry, Master, I have another plan…”

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12th Division, Dangai Research Division.

A man with yellow-green two-toned hair stared intently at data changes on the screen, noting several critical anomalies. His expression darkened.

“It’s understandable that the copies are no match for him, but I didn’t expect… He actually broke through the Kōryū’s encirclement — I underestimated this monster. But fortunately, none of the threatening researchers are in Soul Society. What can a mere brute accomplish? Soul Society belongs to me, Kagerōza Inaba!”

As he pressed several buttons, another figure materialized in the laboratory.

“Marenoshin, how is the plan progressing?” He asked the muscular newcomer.

Marenoshin Ōmaeda’s eyes flickered with an eerie light as he bowed respectfully.

“My lord, the barrier has been successfully deployed across all areas. The Captains are completely trapped and cannot break free in the short term.”

“Excellent, proceed to the next step. My other half is still wandering in Soul Society! She won’t escape my grasp!”

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Meanwhile, after calming Genryūsai down, Akira returned to his loyal 11th Division and called their first-ever general assembly.

The muscle-bound men waited expectantly, looking up at their captain seated in the position of authority.

“Everyone!” Akira’s expression turned serious, “Today Soul Society faces a crisis — someone is impersonating the Gotei 13 Captains with the intent to destroy us.”

Everyone drew sharp breaths, playing along perfectly.

Seeing this, he nodded with satisfaction — indeed, the warriors he had trained were the most reliable.

“Yamamoto has grown incompetent and senile! To prop up this crumbling edifice and turn back this tide of destruction, I must step forward! Today, we shall subdue the Seireitei!”

⤫⤬⤫

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