Chapter 281 – 281 ⥤ Taking Action

Sōsuke Aizen, have you lost your mind?!

Kisuke’s expression was panicked as he worried the fearless madman would drag him into this bloody mess.

Aizen met his gaze calmly and replied with composure, “The current Central 46 has no authority to judge Akira. Don’t forget, the Royal Guard stands above not only the Gotei 13, but also above Soul Society’s laws. The Soul King is their direct superior.”

Kisuke had a sudden realization — he’d almost forgotten that Akira was now a member of the Royal Guard. Even their exclusive Tenchūren now orbited the Seireitei like a satellite.

It was all because this guy’s appearance was so deceiving.

After all, what kind of Royal Guard member squabbles with their Lieutenant over food in the kitchen?

“Are we really going to move against Central 46?” Kisuke asked hesitantly, “Whatever else they may be, these people remain the symbol of Soul Society’s highest judicial authority. Even Captain-Commander Yamamoto stands firmly with them, despite their many outrageous judgments.”

Aizen’s eyes remained perfectly still at these words.

“The Captain-Commander belongs to the inflexible old guard. Soul Society’s stability matters more to him than anything. He would rather do nothing than risk making a mistake. But is this corrupt system really what you want to see? Kisuke Urahara, you have the power to change all this, to breathe new life into this broken world — yet you’re just like Captain-Commander Yamamoto, who has lived for thousands of years, doing nothing.”

Kisuke remained silent, avoiding Aizen’s gaze.

After a long pause, he slowly raised his head, drew a deep breath, and said, “Revolution means sacrifice, means uncertainty. I’m just an ordinary scientist. I have no right to make choices for others.”

Aizen’s lips curved into a smile.

“Then let Akira and me do it. Whether it’s sacrifice or choice, someone must take this step. Soul Society’s corruption has festered too long. Perhaps this act of ‘defiance’ won’t achieve complete reform, but it will leave hope for those who follow.”

Kisuke took several deep breaths, regaining his usual composure.

Though Aizen’s words seemed simple, they struck at his core. He couldn’t stay unmoved in the face of such truth.

Fortunately, thanks to frequent mental torture from Akira, his psychological resilience had reached inhuman levels. Maintaining his composure was still barely possible.

“Lord Aizen, what do you plan to do?” He asked, “Are you truly going to commit treason and kill all of Central 46 as mentioned? If you do this, you’ll make enemies of the Captains and Captain-Commander Yamamoto.”

Aizen fixed him with a meaningful look, his gaze piercing like a sword through Kisuke’s heart.

“I’ve considered this carefully. Since we’re acting according to regulations, we might as well follow them through to the end. Central 46 are merely humans — inflexible and unreasonable humans, not gods on high who care for the Sangai. Being human means making mistakes, even with the rules they themselves established.”

Beside him, Akira suddenly clapped his hands together, his face lighting up with understanding.

“I see! Sōsuke, I understand your thinking now.”

Aizen replied with a smile, “Let you be the one to end all this. We’ll handle Central 46, you take care of Captain-Commander Yamamoto.”

Akira: “?”

Is this what they call fake brotherhood?

Since when did Central 46’s threat level become comparable to Yama-jii’s?

Before he could refuse, Aizen turned his gaze to the precision equipment nearby, light glinting off his glasses.

“The main purpose of this research project concerns the Gemischt Quincy. After reviewing Wandenreich documents, we discovered that Yhwach will perform Auswählen on all Gemischt Quincy upon regaining consciousness, taking their power, life, and souls.”

Kisuke added from the side: “After developing the Captain’s Schrift, Kurotsuchi proposed the God Creation Plan — to spread your name among Gemischt Quincy and establish their faith and loyalty. But it failed. The Gemischt Quincy still view the sleeping Yhwach as their true god and refuse to negotiate with Sōken Ichida.”

Aizen nodded and continued, “Therefore, I changed my approach. Since we can’t prevent the Auswählen ceremony, we might as well let these Gemischt Quincy serve one final purpose.”

Behind his plain glasses, a blue-purple light flickered and vanished.

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“Yama-jii, come out and drop some loot!”

Genryūsai was enjoying a rare moment of leisure, drinking tea and practicing calligraphy in his study. Just as he placed Ryūjin Jakka under the tea stove, an arrogant voice rang out from outside.

His blood pressure shot up instantly. Without thinking, he threw open the door and roared at the figure in the courtyard:

“Fool, what madness are you up to so early in the morning!”

Seeing him emerge, Akira grinned, “Perfect timing, Yama-jii! Hurry up and drop your loot so your disciple can inherit your will!”

Genryūsai: “?”

Did this kid eat something wrong today? Or did Ichibē Hyōsube damage his brain in the Soul King Palace?

Watching the fool laugh wildly, Genryūsai retrieved Ryūjin Jakka from under the tea stove and headed straight for the training ground.

“This isn’t the place to talk — follow me inside!”

Akira snickered, following without a trace of fear.

Genryūsai was getting old — he couldn’t even finish a family-size pizza by himself anymore. The new champion of the Soul Society all-you-can-eat buffet was the Royal Guard member and Captain of the 11th Division — Akira Kisaragi!

Soon, two shirtless men were locked in fierce combat in the training ground. Fire swept through, devastating the solid floor and walls, leaving even the ceiling above scorched black.

Facing the intense heat, Akira showed no fear, withstanding it with his robust defense as he traded blows with Genryūsai.

This time he didn’t even draw his sword, yet fought the old man to a standstill.

Genryūsai’s brows furrowed, vaguely sensing something was off about his wayward disciple today, but he couldn’t quite identify what. He simply gave up thinking and fully enjoyed this exhilarating battle.

After several hours of intense fighting, the vast training ground had once again become ruins, with a layer of white ash piled on the ground.

Looking at Akira lying motionless in the ground, Genryūsai sealed and sheathed his sword, a slight smile crossing his sweat-covered elderly face.

Though this child was reckless and foolish, he showed true filial piety.

After their previous battle involving Hollowfication, Genryūsai knew he was no longer a match for his wayward disciple. Yet now, even using only his Shikai release, he had suppressed Akira in battle — clear evidence of how much his opponent was holding back.

Not only did he save his elder’s face, but he also considered his elder’s feelings.

What more could one ask for in a son?

Akira yanked his head from the dirt, shaking off dust like a dog after a bath.

Seeing him emerge, Genryūsai concealed his smile and adopted an angry expression.

“Kid, speak plainly. I don’t have time for your games.”

Hearing this, Chōjirō, standing nearby, shook his head with amusement.

Just moments ago, you were the one enjoying the fight most, and now you claim Captain Kisaragai is wasting time.

Master Genryūsai, how hypocritical!

Completely unscathed, Akira grinned and declared, “It’s done. I’ve dismantled the ship of the old era — now it’s time for the new era to set sail.”

An ominous feeling rose in Genryūsai’s heart, his expression turning grave.

“Kid, explain yourself clearly.”

With a smug smile, Akira led the old man to the tea room.

At the tea table, the kettle gurgled as water boiled under Ryūjin Jakka’s heat. As water poured, delicate tea fragrance filled the air.

Akira lifted the teacup, took a small sip, and sighed contentedly.

Indeed, this was exactly what was needed after a fight. Yama-jii excelled not only at roasting sweet potatoes but also at brewing the finest tea in Soul Society.

Under the old man’s irritated gaze, he set down his teacup and began to explain:

“It’s like this. The Central 46…”

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Underground Assembly Hall.

The Central 46 had gathered to discuss how to pressure Genryūsai Yamamoto into stripping Akira Kisaragi of his Captain position.

Though they couldn’t confront that man directly, they believed they could influence the old commander.

Since Genryūsai was a faithful adherent to Central 46 and Soul Society’s laws, they merely needed to fabricate charges to bring him to justice and restore Soul Society to its former peace.

“I suggest charges of harming colleagues and conducting forbidden experiments in secret.”

“That’s not enough — we should add consorting with Hueco Mundo and attempting to overthrow noble rule.”

“This old one believes that to thoroughly crush Kisaragi’s faction, everyone associated with him should face similar charges.”

“Seconded.”

“Seconded.”

The upper nobility and lower noble members eagerly discussed the matter, oblivious to the expressionless, eerily calm faces of the Four Great Noble Houses’ representatives.

Just as they were about to finalize their plans, a beam of light pierced the dimly lit assembly hall, and several figures emerged from its illumination.

“Who gave you permission to enter?! 6th Division Captain Tōsen, 7th Division Captain Komamura, are you attempting rebellion? Get out! You have no right to hear Central 46’s meetings!”

Sajin opened his mouth, revealing fierce silver fangs. “How ugly. To frame others for your own benefit — is this what nobles call dignity?”

Beside him, Kaname placed his hand on his sword hilt, “Isn’t this how it’s always been? The nobles consider themselves above all others, treating people’s lives as worthless. In their eyes, we are merely tools for their benefit.”

Their casual conversation enraged the Central 46.

They might fear Akira, but that wouldn’t stop them from challenging his subordinates, even if they were Shinigami Captains.

“Rebellion! Rebellion!”

“How dare mere Shinigami Captains speak so boldly to the Central 46 — you’re nothing but our trained dogs!”

“Today we’ll strip you both of your positions and sentence you to twenty thousand years in the Mugen!”

Under dozens of watching eyes, Kaname spoke slowly, his deep voice resonating throughout the underground hall.

“The 6th Judge — organizing research personnel in secret, studying soul secrets, attempting to achieve immortality through scientific means.”

“The 7th Wise Man — murdering colleagues, banishing innocent people to the Hollow gladiatorial arena.”

“The 12th Wise Man — ordering the assassination of the noble Akita family for personal gain, framing the Azakami family, and passing multiple false judgments.”

“The 16th Wise Man…”

With the 2nd Division’s assistance, Kaname methodically recited the outrageous acts committed by the current Central 46.

At first, some still shouted in protest. But as more crimes were revealed, their faces drained of color, growing increasingly pale.

“All these crimes are proven true. According to Soul Society law, Central 46 is sentenced to execution.” Kaname slowly drew his Zanpakutō, its silver flash resonating with sharp intent throughout the assembly hall, “To be carried out by 6th Division Captain Tōsen!”

As soon as he finished speaking, someone stood for a final struggle:

“A mere Captain has no right to judge us! You’re nothing but a subordinate organization to Central 46 — you have no authority to execute us!”

Kaname’s expression remained calm as he explained, “This judgment was passed down by Zero Division member, Captain Kisaragi. If you have objections, you may confront the Zero Division Commander or the Soul King himself in the Royal Palace.”

As his words fell, heavy Reiatsu surged from his body like a tidal wave, sweeping through the assembly hall and enveloping everyone.

Stripped of their five senses, their faces showed only despair, all hope for survival lost.

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“That’s how it is.” Akira held his teacup, calmly narrating, “From today on, the former Central 46 has ceased to exist.”

Genryūsai’s brows furrowed, thoughts flickering across his face.

After a moment, he let out a long breath and stared intently at his disciple, “Kid, when you did all this, did you think about the consequences?”

Akira first shook his head, then nodded.

Genryūsai was furious. At a time like this, you’re still playing dumb with me — do you really think my Ryūjin Jakka isn’t sharp?

“I didn’t think too much about it at first.” Akira explained, “But after careful consideration, I understood the consequences. The Central 46 ultimately just represents noble interests — kill one batch, and another can be selected. But if we change the structure of Central 46, that’s different.”

Genryūsai frowned.

“Teacher, do you remember what the law states?” Akira grinned, “Initially, Central 46 selection wasn’t limited to nobles—it included virtuous people of high reputation from across Soul Society. Since the benefits come from them, why not return the power to them as well? We don’t know what the future will bring, but it surely can’t be worse than now.”

Genryūsai looked at this brat before him, his tightly knitted brows gradually relaxing.

Taking this disciple had perhaps been the wisest decision of his life.

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