Chapter 239 – 239 ⥤ Traitors and Rebels

The Soul Society was occupied by Captain duplicates, and Akira had initially planned to simply steamroll through. However, Genryūsai immediately rejected this “perfect plan”, declaring bluntly:

“Such a thing as steamrolling — I could do that too.”

If not for concerns about destroying the Soul Society itself, he would have already carved a path from the 1st Division to the 13th Division.

So, drawing upon his profound wisdom, Akira devised a new strategy.

Multiple simultaneous strikes — train soldiers for a thousand days, use them in an instant.

The members of 11th Division, who had been fighting each other daily to the point of boredom, finally had their chance. With an opportunity to save the world at hand, how could they abandon their brothers in arms?

This would also prove the worth of their training. They were always boasting about overthrowing superiors and upending the heavenly order — now they’d have to prove themselves in actual combat.

The plan was simple and direct. As Akira put it, each would lead a small team to the eleven divisions, excluding the 1st Division.

Fight if victory was possible, retreat if not. Real or fake didn’t matter — strike first, question later. They could trust only their own people now.

Whether due to limited resources or because the mastermind deemed anyone below Lieutenant rank insignificant, the vast 11th Division remained free of duplicates.

This oversight gave them room to maneuver.

Akira rose from his chair, his kingly aura radiating as he looked across the division, and proclaimed:

“Everyone, let us begin!”

At his words, a tall, thin figure emanating a beast-like aura burst from the 11th Division, vanishing instantly.

“Wait for me, Kenny!”

A pink-haired little girl sprang from a corner, her laughter ringing like silver bells through the Hall of Loyalty. In mere steps, she caught up to Zaraki and bounded onto his shoulder.

“Without me to guide you, you’ll never find the enemy…”

“Tch!”

Seeing the two depart, others quickly followed suit, all springing into action. While Zaraki wasn’t suited to leading troops, others certainly were.

Soon, the vast 11th Division stood empty. Akira remained briefly, contemplated for a moment, then departed as well.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Outside the 9th Division barracks.

Gin Ichimaru narrowed his eyes, lurking in the shadows with completely suppressed Reiatsu, like a poisonous snake stalking its prey.

At the main gate, a group of muscular men wielding Zanpakutō ignored the guard’s warning and charged forward, shattering the barracks’ gate like rampaging bulls.

Kensei Muguruma, in the midst of his official duties, was the first to sense the disturbance. He flash-stepped to the grass outside.

Before him, burly men were grabbing Shinigami left and right, demanding his whereabouts.

“Stop!” Kensei shouted, “Who are you people, and why are you causing trouble in the Ninth Division?”

Everyone turned, their crimson gazes fixed on the voice’s source.

“White haori, white-haired muscleman.”

“It’s the Ninth Division Captain, Kensei Muguruma!”

“Hahaha, he’s mine!”

Before Kensei could process the situation, the muscular men rushed toward him.

In an instant, chaotic Reiatsu crashed down, thickening the very air.

Kensei’s breath caught. He immediately unleashed his powerful Reiatsu to suppress these rebels. As the attackers closed in, he spotted the insignia on their clothes.

11th Division!

“Akira Kisaragi, we are now mortal enemies!”

“Blow it away…”

⤫ Shikai: Tachikaze ⥤ Initial Release: Earth-Severing Wind! ⤬

Wild green wind blades erupted from the short sword, tearing through the surrounding formation.

The 11th Division’s soldiers could dominate other divisions in one-on-one fights — even the 1st Division. Yet against a Captain, they showed weakness.

Still, Kensei was shocked to his core.

Were these really just ordinary Shinigami?! Why couldn’t his Tachikaze cut them down instantly?

As a responsible Captain who regularly trained his subordinates, he knew well the typical strength of regular soldiers.

But these muscular men made his own division members look like helpless infants — they weren’t even in the same league.

He slashed away another zombie-like brute with his sword.

A look of resolve hardened Kensei’s face. This couldn’t continue — whatever was happening, he had to subdue them now.

Tremendous Reiatsu erupted. Tangible pillars of light surrounded the area, plowing furrows into the ground, forcing back the attacking crowd.

The muscular men cried out in weakness as they were thrown backward one after another.

⤫ Bankai: Tekken—

Before he could finish speaking, a blade of light sliced through the sky, piercing his outer Reiatsu defense with lightning speed.

Splat—

Hot blood sprayed across Kensei’s face, his expression frozen in shock.

Who?!

The sword light vanished as quickly as it had appeared, returning to the hands of a seemingly harmless youth whose narrowed eyes flickered with a faint blue light.

Only then did the release command echo through the silent courtyard:

“Shoot to kill…”

⤫ Shikai: Shinsō ⥤ Initial Release: God Spear! ⤬

Gin smiled at Kensei, nodding in acknowledgment.

Though he might not win in direct combat, few in Soul Society could match his skill at sneak attacks — even the shadow-dwelling Shinigami of the 2nd Division couldn’t compare.

Shinsō was perfectly suited for such strikes.

Kensei raised his hand with his last bit of strength, desperate to stop this betrayal. An indescribable grief filled his heart.

When he tried to speak, blood foam spilled from his mouth, and he collapsed, his eyes filled with unspeakable emotion.

Gin stepped forward, examined him briefly, and shook his head.

“So it really was true. Good that we didn’t waste time — now we can claim more victories!”

A glint of excitement flashed in his eyes.

This was his chance. Finally working for Lord Kisaragi, he couldn’t let this opportunity slip away.

After tending to Kensei’s wounds, Gin left the 9th Division with the howling muscular men, heading toward the neighboring barracks.

“If I remember correctly, the Tenth Division’s Captain is from the Shiba family.” He muttered to himself, “Well, it doesn’t matter. Returning empty-handed would earn the Lord Magistrate’s disdain, and that cannot happen. Neither nobles nor colleagues will be spared from my blade.”

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Jin’emon Kotsubaki watched the demon-like man before him warily, his mind razor-sharp as his right hand moved silently to rest on his sword hilt.

As a master swordsman, his perception was keen. He could sense the terrifying aura radiating from his opponent.

The killing intent was almost tangible, seeping through his pores like a tidal wave, its bone-chilling cold numbing his nerves.

If he hadn’t released his Reiatsu, Jin’emon knew he would have collapsed on the spot.

“Is this for real?” Zaraki raised his serrated sword, pointing it at his opponent as he asked.

Jin’emon’s pupils contracted in disbelief.

“Whatever, we’ll find out when I cut you down.” The wild swordsman, impatient for battle, flashed a beast-like grin and swung his blade.

Clang!!

Steel met steel in an explosion of sparks.

Jin’emon staggered — the force behind the blade felt like being struck by a mountain, its crushing power overwhelming his defense like a tsunami.

The gap between them was painfully clear.

Seeing this, Zaraki’s savage grin widened with satisfaction. He raised his Zanpakutō again and, laughing maniacally, unleashed a barrage of fierce strikes.

The sound of clashing blades filled the air in a continuous metallic symphony.

Jin’emon retreated, his face twisted with shock as recognition dawned. This was no stranger before him — this was Kenpachi Zaraki, 3rd Seat of the 11th Division.

The name “Kenpachi” carried weight — everyone knew those who bore it were not to be taken lightly.

Zaraki was proving this true. Without even releasing his Shikai or Bankai, he had reduced a Captain to desperation.

Jin’emon yearned to activate his Bankai, but Zaraki’s relentless assault left no opening. One misstep would mean certain death.

“Weak, too weak!” Zaraki roared, “Where’s your Shikai, your Bankai? Show me everything!”

Blood trickled from Jin’emon’s mouth as bitter realization struck.

His lord’s plan had overlooked a crucial detail — they had failed to account for this monster.

How could a mere Seated Officer possess power that surpassed Captain-class?

Yet as a master swordsman of his generation, Jin’emon had one last gambit.

With fluid grace, he evaded the next slash with a side flip. Reiatsu gathered around him as shockwaves exploded outward, throwing up clouds of dust.

⤫ Bankai: Saru-Ō, Fudō Myōō ⥤ Final Release: Monkey King, Unshakeable Lord! ⤬

Within a column of wild light, his form transformed dramatically. Fierce fangs extended from his mouth, his eyes burned blood-red, and though his hair flew free, an aura of authority still emanated from him.

“Hahaha—” Zaraki’s laughter rang with excitement, “Now that’s more like it! Let’s have an all-out battle!”

As his words faded, golden Reiatsu erupted like raging flames, painting the sky above. His violent aura intensified — his true power finally emerging.

Jin’emon’s heart sank, his sword-arm growing leaden with despair.

It was hard to imagine — he, a proud Captain, was being overwhelmed by a mere Seated Officer.

His opponent hadn’t even released his Shikai!

Zaraki stepped forward, sending a ring of dust outward as his tall, thin figure exploded toward Jin’emon, sword raised to strike.

Boom!

A tremendous explosion erupted, its impact spreading like ocean waves. Visible aftershocks expanded in layers as a howling whirlwind destroyed everything in its path.

Trees uprooted, ground split, buildings collapsed, and thick smoke billowed everywhere.

A figure went flying backward, carving a deep trench in the ground.

Jin’emon raised his fierce face, filled with disbelief. Even after activating his Bankai, he still couldn’t gain the upper hand.

Where did Akira find such a monster?!

“Hahaha…” Zaraki’s laughter grew more maniacal, his golden Reiatsu soaring skyward, instantly sweeping away the swirling dust.

His mouth twisted into a savage, excited grin. The serrated sword pointed forward, his killing intent so powerful it seemed to materialize, blanketing the entire battlefield.

“This is the kind of battle I’ve been waiting for!”

Jin’emon’s pupils contracted as that demon-like face suddenly appeared before him.

Another simple strike fell, its overwhelming force crushing his resistance like dry twigs, sending him flying once again. His heart filled with despair.

Monster…

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

In 2nd Division, black mist swirled everywhere.

Rangiku stood with hands on her hips, letting out a queenly laugh, her troublemaking nature in full display.

“Lady Yoruichi, you have nowhere to run! Just surrender quietly and admit that the Captain belongs to me!”

In the black mist, a figure wrapped in golden lightning stared at Rangiku ahead, a smile playing at the corner of their mouth.

“Surrender? The outcome isn’t decided yet. I won’t hand Akira over so easily!”

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Disaster had struck — the 11th Division had completely rebelled.

When news spread, people were first shocked, then outraged at the traitors. But soon, a strange acceptance settled in.

After all, the 11th Division’s Captain had never been one to follow rules. Defying authority and challenging superiors was practically his motto.

A sudden rebellion seemed almost predictable.

The burning question was: What would the 1st Division do? Would Genryūsai Shigekuni Yamamoto steel his heart to purge the ranks? Or would he surrender the Seireitei and step down as Captain-Commander?

The Shinigami waited anxiously for orders from the 1st Division, but amid the chaos, Genryūsai appeared oddly detached.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Meanwhile, in the 8th Division…

On the roof of the Captain’s office, Shunsui lay sprawled inelegantly, a bottle of sake and several cups by his side.

“I never thought our perfect plan would be exposed so quickly. How did you see through us, dear little brother…”

Following his gaze, a figure descended from the sky, landing on the roof.

“Don’t use such familiar terms — we’re not close.” Akira replied, his face twisted with disdain.

Although these copies had the same abilities and memories as their originals, in his eyes, they were nothing but strangers.

“How heartbreaking.” Shunsui drained the last drop of sake from his cup, drew both swords from his waist, and crossed them before him, “In that case…”

“The Flowery Winds Become Disturbed, The God Of Flowers Sings, The Heavenly Winds Become Disturbed, The Devil Of Heaven Sneers…”

⤫ Shikai: Katen Kyōkotsu ⥤ Initial Release: Bones of Heavenly Blooming Madness! ⤬

⤫⤬⤫

T/N: If you want more Chapters like this, check out my Patreon! Take a look at my other translations too, you might like them!

For just $1.50 you can access all the extra content, and descriptive images, costs only $2!

That’s it and happy reading! (-‿◦)

/mrblackwing

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep