Chapter 298 – 298 ⥤ Hell and the Sangai

“Since these Togabito are destined to die anyway, why not use them as training tools for our officers, soldiers, and Arrancar?”

Akira smirked, his words perfectly matching his character as Aizen watched intently.

“We can divide them into first and second class by rank, allowing Shinigami, Quincy, and Arrancar to train together. This will build rapport and foster development across the Sangai while increasing their strength and breaking down barriers between species — achieving true integration.”

Aizen’s expression turned peculiar, as if suddenly realizing his Husky had transformed into a Border Collie (the intelligent dog).

“That could work.” He said after brief consideration.

The only concern was potential casualties during the trials — they would need to strictly control the participants’ power levels and temperaments.

While participation would be entirely voluntary, the culture among Shinigami and Quincy had already undergone irreversible changes under the influence of the new Captain-Commander and Emperor of the Wandenreich.

After finalizing the plan and casually killing the Five Noble Founders another dozen times, Akira and Aizen left Hell’s deepest level together.

For these two transcendent beings, Hell — insurmountable for ordinary people — had become merely their backyard, a place they entered and left at will without ceremony.

Upon returning to Soul Society, Akira’s first action was to establish a semi-permanent Hell Gate in the 1st Division and issue the relevant orders. Those who met the requirements could enter Hell for trials.

Learning of the countless powerful beings in Hell, battle-crazed warriors like Zaraki and Grimmjow immediately rushed in.

Many battle-hungry Arrancar joined them, though some, like Nelliel and Harribel, preferred to remain in Hueco Mundo, managing it for a certain God-King of Hollows.

As the Arrancar numbers grew, both Las Noches and Hueco Mundo saw an increase in daily administrative duties.

The Captains of Soul Society’s 11th Division, being extremely combative and valuing martial prowess, naturally couldn’t resist such an opportunity for battle.

After leaving instructions about division matters with Tetsuzaemon, Sajin immediately partnered with his friend Kaname and descended into Hell.

“Teacher, aren’t you going to take a look?” Akira approached the old man with a cheerful greeting.

“Hmph, I have no time for such frivolity.” Genryūsai snorted coldly, making his stance clear.

Akira grinned, expertly targeting his weak spot, “But the original Captains are in Hell — don’t you want to reminisce about the old days with them?”

Genryūsai’s expression flickered slightly. He lowered his gaze and replied without looking up, “Nonsense! I’m retired now and won’t meddle in Seireitei affairs!”

With that, the old man swept his robes and strode away without a backward glance.

Watching his retreating figure, Akira shook his head like Tom Cat, clicking his tongue.

No one understood this ancient being better than him. It wasn’t the first time the old man had said one thing while meaning another.

Though he claimed to be retired, he worried more than anyone else, often sneaking into the office at night to review documents processed by Kisuke.

Now that this Hell situation had emerged, how could he resist getting involved?

Late that night, a figure wrapped in concealment Kidō materialized silently before the Hell Gate. After carefully ensuring no one had detected their presence, they entered.

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“Damn it, Tōsen is still pursuing me!”

In a desolate area, a disheveled figure cursed in frustration. His dark green hair and noble clothing were in tatters as he desperately fired Kidō blasts backward to obstruct his pursuer.

But it was futile. The relentless Kaname didn’t even need his eyes — purely by instinct, he tilted his head while swinging his sword, cleaving the blazing red cannon shot in two.

Tokinada couldn’t believe that even in Hell, Kaname refused to let him be.

He had already received his punishment — why continue this pursuit?!

He cursed this twisted world and that despicable Akira!

If not for him, Hell and Soul Society would never have been connected, and this lowborn wouldn’t be here hunting him again.

Tokinada attempted to use Muramasa to persuade Kaname, but his pursuer remained deaf to it, his sword strikes growing even swifter.

“Damn this outrage!”

⤫ Hadō #88: Hiryū Gekizoku Shinten Raihō ⥤ Flying Dragon-Striking Heaven-Shaking Thunder Cannon! ⤬

With no escape in sight, Tokinada gritted his teeth and spun to unleash a high-level Hadō. A brilliant azure beam erupted from his palm, crackling lightning coiling around it as it radiated devastating power.

⤫ Bakudō #81: Dankū⥤ Splitting Void! ⤬

A massive transparent barrier materialized from above, completely neutralizing the thunderous blast.

As Tokinada readied another attack, Kaname’s voice cut through the air.

⤫ Bankai: Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi ⥤ Final Release: Cricket Final Form: Yama Cricket! ⤬

In an instant, waves of dark purple Reiatsu poured from the resonating blade, engulfing Tokinada completely.

Kaname approached his now senseless prey, sword in hand and face impassive, “watching” his opponent’s contorted expression without a flicker of emotion.

The sword rose and fell.

Tokinada’s head rolled from his shoulders, his expression frozen, blood-flecked lips still moving in silent curses.

Kaname stood motionless, lost in contemplation.

Just as Sajin began to worry, Kaname flicked the blood from his blade and sheathed his sword in one smooth motion.

“Komamura, let’s go to the deepest part of Hell. Lord Akira said that’s where Togabito respawn…”

Seeing his friend’s composed expression, Sajin’s concerns melted away, and he grinned.

“Alright.”

Man and dog headed toward Hell’s depths.

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Hell was lined with iron mountains, their thorny spikes jutting everywhere — a testament to its menacing nature.

“Senior Kuruyashiki.”

The muscular Kuruyashiki’s face showed confusion at the young man’s sudden appearance.

“You died too? Has something major happened in Soul Society?”

Sōya shook his head, “Soul Society is thriving under Lord Kisaragi’s governance. Shinigami, Quincy, and Hollows now live together in harmony — some have even become close friends.”

Kuruyashiki: “?”

Though he understood each word individually, together they made no sense to him.

Was this an illusion? When had that happened?

Seeing Kuruyashiki’s bewilderment, Sōya explained recent events in detail.

As he listened, Kuruyashiki grew increasingly astonished. He couldn’t help but admire Akira, who had once defeated him.

They had dismissed him as merely an unruly brute, yet he possessed brilliant strategic mind, easily achieving what generations of captains could not.

“I truly wish I could see Soul Society now.” Kuruyashiki sighed wistfully, then looked at Sōya, “But you didn’t come to Hell just to tell me all this, did you?”

Sōya shook his head, “During our Kenpachi battle, you held back because of Central 46’s regulations and the presence of division members. You never used your Bankai. My victory was dishonorable, so—”

Before he could finish, Kuruyashiki interrupted with a grin — the classic expression of the 11th Division.

“I understand — you came to fight me. Haha, that’s exactly what I wanted! This time, I won’t hold back!”

As his words faded, two powerful Reiatsus surged skyward, becoming the most brilliant sight in this desolate land.

Similar scenes kept playing out across Hell.

The unified Sangai were unleashing infinite potential. Races that once fought on sight were now joining hands against a common enemy thanks to Hell’s existence.

Yet across Hell’s vast expanse, not a single Quincy could be found.

Through Bazz-B’s inquiry, they discovered that when Quincy died, both their souls and Reishi returned to Yhwach.

This revelation sparked outrage throughout Hell, with many cursing the former emperor. The Quincy fought with renewed savagery, as if each Togabito bore Yhwach’s face.

While others handled the lower and mid-tier threats, Akira personally dealt with the most dangerous ones — though the Five Noble Founders had already surrendered completely.

Shiba, upon learning that their deaths would weaken Hell and benefit the Sangai, chose to slit his own throat the moment he revived, without hesitation.

To him, this was atonement.

Through his advocacy, the Five Noble Founders’ crimes were made public in Soul Society.

Yet the public barely reacted. A million years had passed since they sealed the Soul King, who had since been replaced — ancient crimes held little meaning now.

A new era had dawned. The people of the Sangai stood united against a common enemy, protecting their home.

Their target was… Hell!

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In Hell’s deepest level.

Under the dim sky, Akira backhanded the newly revived Tsunayashiro into dust. As he prepared to deal with the other four, something strange occurred.

The dead Togabito didn’t revive — only heavy ashes remained.

“Hmm?” Akira’s puzzled expression accompanied his investigative burst of Reiatsu.

The transcendent-level Reiatsu crashed through space like a burly intruder kicking down a widow’s door, probing ever deeper.

He stood still and closed his eyes. His leaking Reiatsu caused black cracks to appear in the surrounding space while the ground groaned under its unbearable weight. After his search, he opened his eyes with a smile.

After their persistent efforts, Hell had finally been drained of its last power. The current rules could no longer support the revival of Five Noble Founder-level Togabito.

At this rate, Hell would soon be powerless to resist the ravaging of the Sangai’s people, meekly becoming their stellar fury as its Reishi was devoured.

Akira informed Aizen of his discovery, and the latter immediately fell into thought.

After a moment of silence, he raised his gaze to look directly at the husky and said seriously, “Akira, do you remember the scene you saw when you first entered your Zanpakutō’s Inner World?”

Akira nodded, “Two giant stars connected by a black chain — how could I forget such a magnificent sight?”

“Now it’s time to continue exploring its secrets.” Aizen’s lips curved slightly, “If I’m not mistaken, those two stars should be the Sangai and Hell. The reason you couldn’t enter before was because Hell was rejecting you. Now, it no longer has the power to resist.”

Akira showed excitement as he drew Kūkan Mukai from its sheath. After some affectionate caressing, he tried to enter his Zanpakutō’s Inner World through Jinzen…

… Still unsuccessful…

Seeing the slightly trembling blade, Aizen sighed helplessly and took out a pre-prepared Tenshintai, handing it to him.

After some skillful operation, Akira successfully arrived in the boundless starry space. The same two giant stars attracted each other, black and white interweaving in an endless cycle.

The difference was that the black star had lost its former imposing presence and heavy pressure. He easily passed through the outer atmosphere and entered the star’s interior.

Before his eyes, Hell’s scenery spread out completely. Like an omniscient Soul King, he watched everything happening in Hell.

In Hell’s fifth level, Yama-jii was having intimate talks with old friends when a careless word led them to fighting again.

When it came to hot tempers, few in the Sangai could match Genryūsai.

In Hell’s seventh level, Unohana’s black hair flowed loose as she appeared like a merciless deity, her fair face speckled with blood, emanating surging killing intent.

In the third level of Hell, Yoruichi was competing in Hakuda with another purple-haired, dark-skinned woman, both abandoning Reiatsu to win purely through skill.

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Exiting Kūkan Mukai’s space, Akira felt somewhat emotional.

“It’s just as you guessed.”

Aizen nodded silently. Now that the Zanpakutō’s secret was solved, he had one less concern.

“There’s one more thing.” Just as he was about to attend to other matters, Akira spoke up, “I don’t know if it’s just my imagination, but as Hell’s power diminishes, I seem to be able to merge it completely into the Sangai through Kūkan Mukai’s connection…”

He spread his hands to demonstrate, manifesting two Reishi clusters in his palms. Under his control, the clusters merged into a single, larger one.

Aizen: “?”

He had thought defeating Yhwach and breaking through Hell was already unprecedented, yet here was this man, pulling out another trump card.

Merging the Sangai with Hell — could anyone else even conceive such a thing?

Sometimes, Aizen wished he could crack open someone’s skull to see what lay inside.

When playing the fool, this man could drive anyone’s blood pressure through the roof, yet when displaying his genius, he seemed to transcend ordinary comprehension. Looking at the husky now, his eyes remained as clear and innocent as ever.

Aizen sighed and asked resignedly, “How long will it take?”

“As short as three to five years, as long as three to five hundred years.” Akira answered candidly.

Though Hell could no longer revive Tsunayashiro and the others, its sheer volume remained intact. Merging it into the Sangai would undoubtedly be an arduous and lengthy endeavor.

Aizen nodded wordlessly. Much work lay ahead, and while no one could predict the outcome of merging the Sangai and Hell, judging by someone’s expression, it likely wouldn’t be catastrophic.

Still, it would be prudent to make additional preparations.

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In the time that followed, Akira’s life returned to peace.

With Hell no longer posing a transcendent threat, he could fully enjoy a life of luxury while freely exploiting Kisuke.

The Research and Development Institute established a new project focused on merging Hell and the Sangai.

Kisuke had his share of complaints about this arrangement. Already juggling two demanding roles — handling 1st Division duties and managing communications with the Wandenreich and Hueco Mundo — he now had to dedicate his nights to project research.

Yet with arms proving no match against legs, his supposedly invincible Benihime hadn’t even left its sheath before falling to someone’s iron fist. Unable to resist and unwilling to face Hell, he could only accept his exploitation with bitter laughter.

As for Akira’s schedule, by his own admission, it was filled with countless engagements.

He spent his time teaching Hakuda to Yoruichi and playfully sparring with the Shihōin clan elders. He exchanged sword techniques with Unohana, occasionally pausing to view the moon together. He also made sure to discipline the new 11th Division Captain Rangiku Matsumoto when she challenged authority, demonstrating the old generation’s formidable strength.

In the Wandenreich, where Yhwach’s death had stalled the Quincy’s spiritual arts development, Akira frequently visited to help Candice, Bambietta, Meninas and others develop their Vollständig, Blut abilities, and other spiritual arts.

As God-King of Hueco Mundo, he made regular appearances to assist Harribel and Nelliel with Las Noches affairs.

When time permitted, he would tour the Soul King Palace, discussing new Shihakushō developments with Senjumaru.

Under the combined leadership of the new Captain-Commander, Quincy Emperor, and God-King of Hueco Mundo, the Sangai flourished with unprecedented vitality.

Then, many years later, while Genryūsai intently watched sweet potatoes roasting in his stove, a violent tremor shook the world. The air rippled as vast, unfamiliar Reishi poured into Soul Society.

Abandoning his nearly-burning sweet potatoes, he rushed outside.

Above, Hell’s landscape had appeared in the sky, gradually merging with their world until the two became indistinguishable.

Meanwhile, similar scenes unfolded in Hueco Mundo and the Living World. As confusion spread, a familiar voice — one known for raising blood pressure — echoed across the world.

“Oh, good, it’s done!”

Genryūsai took a deep breath and rushed into the 1st Division’s quarters, shouting at the person who had taken over his tea house:

“Wicked disciple, what have you done?”

Akira grinned at the old man, “The crisis from Hell has been completely resolved.”

Just as Genryūsai’s puzzled expression formed, Akira spoke words that made the old man’s heart stop.

“I merged them.”

As Akira explained, understanding dawned on the old man.

The merger of the Sangai and Hell meant incorporating Hell’s cycle into the Sangai — ensuring the world would never again face a crisis of stagnation. This achievement surpassed even the Soul King’s separation of the Sangai.

After hearing the explanation, Genryūsai’s expression grew complex. He cast a long look at the still-unruly Akira, his lips curving into an almost imperceptible smile as he turned and left what had once been his tea house.

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