Chapter 280 – 280 ⥤ Aizen’s Wild Ambitions

“The Eleventh Division has grown too powerful, infiltrating every corner of Soul Society — even reaching into the Rukongai. The Third, Seventh, Eighth, and Thirteenth Divisions, and even the noble-serving Sixth Division, are all under Kisaragi’s control now.

I’ve heard that Captain Kirio Hikifune of the 12th Division plans to step down to focus on developing new technologies. With his meddlesome nature, he’ll certainly get involved.

The First, Second, and Fourth Divisions also favor him greatly. The Gotei 13, which should protect the interests of the Central 46 and the nobles, has become nothing more than Kisaragi’s personal domain!”

“We must stop this!”

“We need to pressure Genryūsai Yamamoto!”

“Agreed.”

“Agreed.”

As peace settled in Soul Society, certain individuals who should have remained content began harboring dangerous thoughts once again.

After the meeting concluded, dozens of figures slipped away from Seijōtōkyorin (Tranquil Forest of Residential Towers in the Central 46) under the cover of night.

Some had truly lost their minds, while others retained their sanity. Anyone with an ounce of sense wouldn’t meddle in matters that could get their entire family killed. Yet because a certain someone had been too quiet lately, these people had developed foolish delusions.

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“What?!”

An angry roar echoed from the Shihōin manor as one of the clan elders exclaimed.

“Don’t those fools know that Captain Kisaragi is already the Shihōin clan’s chosen son-in-law? Who gave them the audacity to propose stripping the 11th Division captain of his position?! The Shihōin clan will have no part in this! Stay away from those fools, before their blood splashes onto us!”

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At the Kuchiki manor.

As Ginrei and his son listened to their subordinate’s report, their expressions grew peculiar. Beside them sat a handsome young man who bore a resemblance to Sōjun.

“Father, regarding this matter…”

Just as Sōjun began to speak, Ginrei raised his hand to stop him, turning to the young man instead:

“Byakuya, what are your thoughts?”

Byakuya furrowed his brow in contemplation.

“Though Grandfather and Father haven’t yet permitted me to engage in political matters, one thing I know with certainty: Captain Kisaragi has shown great favor to the Kuchiki family. As exemplars of nobility, we cannot repay kindness with betrayal. I would rather defy Soul Society’s regulations and all forty-six members of the Central 46 than raise a hand against our benefactor.”

Hearing this, Ginrei and Sōjun exchanged glances, both seeing the smile in each other’s eyes, and nodded in unison.

“As it should be.”

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At the Shiba house in Rukongai.

Acting Clan Head Isshin Shiba read the Central 46’s report with an expression as if he’d tasted something foul.

Have these people finally lost their minds? Strip Kisaragi of his Captain position?!

Don’t they realize he’s already a member of the Zero Division?

Contemplating the chain reaction that might occur if the Shiba clan became involved, Isshin shuddered.

Better to stay clear of this. As long as he remained head, the Shiba clan would be Captain Kisaragi’s most loyal supporters, without question.

“We absolutely cannot side with those fools.” He declared. Just as he was about to have a division member relay his intentions, he paused and reconsidered, “No, merely abstaining won’t demonstrate the Shiba clan’s resolve. I need to inform Captain Kisaragi personally!”

With that, he turned and left the Shiba house.

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At the Tsunayashiro clan.

The newly appointed head of the Tsunayashiro clan was furiously slapping the face of the retainer who had brought the intelligence report.

“Do you know how the previous clan head died? Do you know how the head before that died? You dare come to me about this matter — do you want the Tsunayashiro clan wiped out?! Relay my orders: anyone who opposes Captain Kisaragi is to be immediately expelled from the Tsunayashiro clan! Now get out, you fool!”

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At the 11th Division training grounds.

Hundreds of Shinigami stood positioned at strategic points, their Reiatsu connecting to form a special battle formation — a Quincy formation modified by Aizen himself.

Everyone’s expression was grave as powerful Reiatsu surged and intertwined, all eyes fixed on the figure at the center.

With Bankai metal treads wrapped around him and determination etched on his face, the white-haired man, Kensei, stood ready.

Though uncertain about the specifics of Kisaragi’s training method, Kensei trusted him completely, given his brilliant record of training several captains.

No effort would be too great if it meant becoming stronger and establishing new standards for combat power units.

At Ikkaku’s command, the Shinigami division members sprang into action. Those at the formation’s front launched the first attack, wielding their swords with both hands and charging at their target with ear-splitting roars.

Kensei’s gaze turned fierce as his right fist shot forward. Blue windstorms rose from the ground, howling and growing into towering hurricanes dozens of meters high, sweeping forward with fury.

Though he served as Soul Society’s combat power measurement unit and couldn’t withstand even one of Akira’s charged punches, few Shinigami below Lieutenant level could survive even his normal attacks.

Among Shinigami, the gap between the strong and weak exceeded that between humans and dogs.

However, the overwhelming victory Kensei had expected didn’t materialize. The combined dense Reiatsu solidified into a barrier before the hurricane, the impacts canceling each other out.

The well-trained division members seized this chance, spreading out and raising their hands high as if gathering energy for a spirit bomb:

⤫ Bakudō #21: Sekienton⥤ Red Smoke Escape! ⤬

Dense red smoke billowed outward, engulfing Kensei completely.

⤫ Hadō #4: Byakurai ⥤ Pale Lightning! ⤬

White lightning crackled in their palms before surging into the crimson mist.

{T/N: And Akashirai (Red Cloud of White Lightning) is back!}

At the sight of those piercing electric arcs so close, Kensei’s instincts screamed danger. He instantly wrapped his entire body in a protective shield of Reiatsu.

In the next instant, a blinding explosion rocketed skyward. The earth-shattering blast sent crimson flames spewing in all directions, fracturing the training ground’s center.

Caught point-blank, Kensei endured the full brunt of red smoke and white lightning. His Reiatsu shield nearly shattered as the attack scorched his body black.

“Cough, cough.” Spitting out black smoke, he glared at the Shinigami, “Your attack is finished. My turn!”

Erupting with Reiatsu, he slammed his foot down and charged into their ranks like a tiger among sheep.

Having realized close combat was his advantage, Kensei tore through their formation — no defensive array could withstand his raw power. His fists struck like lightning, pummeling several Shinigami unconscious into deep craters.

The formation began to crumble.

Watching Kensei rampage across the training ground, Ikkaku’s lips twisted into a savage grin.

“Hey, Kensei. Better stay sharp, because… The commander’s joining the fight!”

He drew his Zanpakutō in one fluid motion as crimson Reiatsu spiraled down his arm and enveloped the blade:

⤫ Bankai: Ryūmon Hōzukimaru ⥤ Final Release: Dragon Crest Demon Light! ⤬

A blast of crimson light erupted as Ikkaku took his stance — an enormous blade slung across his back and an even more monstrous one gripped in both hands. Most striking was the crimson dragon pattern adorning the massive blade on his back.

Thanks to Ōetsu’s guidance and Mayuri’s modifications, Ryūmon Hōzukimaru had not only improved in quality but no longer needed warming up to unleash its full power.

Bankai is ultimate power!

With a demon’s grin, Ikkaku launched himself skyward and plummeted toward Kensei like a meteor!

BOOM!!

The deafening explosion sent shockwaves rippling outward, kicking up clouds of dust that stretched to the heavens.

Kensei felt as if he’d been struck by a mountain — every bone in his body screaming in protest, as if being torn apart from all directions. His body tumbled like a ball, flying backward and slamming into the Kidō barrier at the training grounds’ edge with devastating force.

Through the rolling dust clouds, Ikkaku emerged with a fierce grin, fixing Kensei with an intense stare.

“No one’s power can grow from nothing. The Captain taught us that to become strong, you must learn to fight without rest. That’s wisdom from his experience! So come, let’s fight!”

Kensei wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, his expression turning resentful.

He had thought Gin was an exception in the 11th Division and losing to him was understandable, but he never imagined everyone in the 11th Division would be such monsters.

Recognizing his opponent’s true strength, he abandoned his arrogance and unleashed all his Reiatsu. Wild winds enveloped both fists as he struck out furiously under Ikkaku’s expectant gaze!

The shockwave devastated the battlefield, shattering their formation. With both fighters releasing their full Reiatsu, the battle had escalated beyond what ordinary division members could withstand.

The two figures clashed violently across the training grounds, fighting like mortal enemies, heedless of the severe injuries they inflicted on each other.

Whether infected by Ikkaku’s battle spirit or driven by the frustration of past defeats, Kensei’s Reiatsu surged steadily higher.

As his fists blazed with dazzling white light, Ikkaku stretched out his arms. His bones cracked as crimson Reiatsu formed dragon patterns, wrapping around the massive blade on his back. Abandoning the giant blades in his hands, he gripped the dragon-patterned weapon and unleashed his strongest attack at Kensei.

BOOM!

Wave-like dust clouds swept outward in all directions, layer upon layer, engulfing the vast training grounds completely.

When the dust settled, two battered figures stood like pillars in the center.

Seeing this, both men’s lips curved into grins as they launched their final attacks simultaneously. Their fists collided in mid-air with a sharp crack, and both figures fell backward, crashing heavily to the ground.

After that battle, both fighters were completely exhausted.

Kensei lay on the ground, gazing at the pristine blue sky and feeling the Reiatsu fluctuations within his body as Ikkaku’s words and Akira’s battle form flashed through his mind.

Finally, the corner of his mouth turned up.

“I see now.”

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“Captain Kisaragi, we have trouble!”

Isshin burst into the Captain’s office, only to find Rangiku angrily processing mountains of paperwork.

“Miss Matsumoto, do you know where Captain Kisaragi went?”

Rangiku sniffed disapprovingly, “He’s in the laboratory behind the division barracks with that adopted son of his!”

Just as Isshin was about to ask about this adopted son, understanding dawned on his face.

“I see. I’ll take my leave!”

His figure flickered and vanished.

Though he wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination, Isshin detected a note of jealousy in her words.

Was Rangiku jealous of Aizen? Hmm, surely not…

After meeting Akira through a division member’s announcement, Isshin quickly revealed Central 46’s betrayal.

“I see.” Akira frowned. He wasn’t good at handling situations like this.

If he were to handle it his way, he’d simply kill them all and replace them with a new Central 46 to process Soul Society’s paperwork. However, this solution didn’t quite match his gentle and accommodating personality.

Fortunately, he had his external brain trust — he’d ask Aizen and Kisuke later.

Having made up his mind, Akira gave Isshin a kindly smile, “Thank you for informing me, Captain Shiba. I’ll handle this appropriately.”

Isshin nodded, feeling relieved.

“By the way, Captain Kisaragi, I have one more request.”

Akira looked at him curiously.

Isshin’s face showed embarrassment as he hesitantly said, “I heard Genryū is doing special training again. I wonder if I could…”

Hearing this, Akira chuckled, “Of course you can. The troops need strong men like you — quickly go report to Ikkaku!”

At this ominous response, Isshin suddenly had a bad feeling.

But having come this far, he couldn’t back out now, so he headed toward the laboratory with an uneasy heart.

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“Sōsuke, we have trouble!”

At that voice, Aizen’s eye twitched, and he nearly lost control of his Reiatsu, almost crushing the test subject in his hand.

Under his murderous gaze, Akira briefly explained Central 46’s decision.

Aizen’s face remained impassive, showing no emotion. Beside him, however, Kisuke’s face registered shock, followed by a gleam of joy in his eyes.

Heaven have mercy, were the hard times finally coming to an end?!

Then Aizen spoke:

“If this batch of Central 46 won’t listen, we’ll simply kill them all.”

Kisuke: “?”

Sōsuke Aizen, are your wolfish ambitions finally showing?!

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