Chapter 299 – 299 ⥤ Who is the Second Smartest Person in the World

Hell had merged with the Sangai.

When this news broke, the whole world erupted in chaos.

People were terrified because they knew Shinigami Captains’ Reishi descended to Hell after death, giving Hell a sinister reputation. The announcement sparked widespread panic.

Yet as time passed, daily life continued unchanged. The only noticeable difference was that the Sangai had expanded, incorporating new territories that hadn’t existed before.

The Shinigami initially approached these areas with curiosity, but after exploration, found them unremarkable and soon adapted to their presence.

However, beneath this peaceful facade, significant events were unfolding.

The 6th Division Lieutenant Sōjun Kuchiki, current head of the Kuchiki clan, had a son named Byakuya Kuchiki, a conservative nobleman dedicated to reviving the family, who fell in love with a girl from the Rukongai.

The matter escalated to the 1st Division, where Kaname cited status differences and passed this headache to Kisuke. Upon seeing the parties involved, Kisuke too developed a migraine.

{T/N: For those who don’t remember, Kaname is Captain of the 6th Division, all that nobles’ thing.}

Though noble families had declined recently, the Kuchiki family remained influential due to their early allegiance. Given Sōjun’s good relationship with his Captain, he couldn’t address the matter directly.

After careful consideration, he referred the issue to Akira, who was desperately seeking entertainment.

In the teahouse.

Akira poured tea, sliding it toward Sōjun, “Listen, Sōjun, who cares about noble status nowadays? They’re perfect for each other — what right do you have to oppose it, you relic poisoned by feudal thinking?”

Though accustomed to Akira’s blunt manner, Sōjun couldn’t help but want to object.

His refined upbringing, however, held his tongue. He sighed helplessly, “Actually, I personally approve. Father has no objections either. The rest of the family feels the same — after all, even the Captain-Commander comes from the Rukongai, so status doesn’t matter.”

Akira asked, puzzled, “What do you mean? Is the girl unwilling to marry into the Kuchiki family?”

Sōjun shook his head, “No, that’s not it. She and Byakuya are in love. The obstacle is her sister, who doesn’t want her to marry anyone else. She’s found someone she deems worthy of entrusting her sister’s life to — describing this person as unparalleled in heaven and earth, the greatest person in the Sangai.”

Akira frowned thoughtfully, “That sounds familiar. I should know such a person.”

Sōjun gave him a knowing look, uncertain whether Akira truly didn’t understand or was simply playing dumb, given the obvious hints.

“You should know the sisters — the older one is called Hisana, and the younger one is Rukia. Rukia wants her sister to marry you…”

Akira: “?”

Hiss—

Suddenly understanding dawned on his face. Of course the description had sounded familiar — they were talking about him.

Though Rukia might be lacking in certain areas, she clearly had excellent judgment and showed potential. He appreciated her endorsement. However, since he had no interest in Hisana, it was best to end this possibility here.

After he conveyed his position, Sōjun left, visibly relieved.

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After seeing off his guest, Akira returned to more pressing matters.

The merger of Hell and the Sangai had granted him the ability to explore other worlds — perhaps due to the world’s will, or his own mysterious origins.

This development was promising.

Having conquered and merged both the Sangai and Hell, initiating the world’s dimensional ascension, he needed new challenges. Staying in his comfort zone much longer would only lead to stagnation.

“Time to seek out other worlds.”

Eagerly, he drew his Zanpakutō Kūkan Mukai from the table. With one slash, he tore open space itself, revealing profound darkness.

Akira stepped through without hesitation. In an instant, reality shifted, and before him stretched a vast, brilliant starry sky.

Countless worlds, like the Sangai and Hell, rotated slowly in the void, each emanating a protective aura. Every star contained a complete universe.

After admiring the magnificent view, he extended his perception, searching for the world with the weakest defenses to breach.

Having found his target, he hurled Kūkan Mukai into the boundless starry expanse. The Zanpakutō trembled, as if cursing its wielder.

The keen blade pierced through the star’s outer defenses, plunging into that world.

This intrusion caught the attention of an omniscient being within. Multiple-pupiled eyes observed the foreign blade that had breached their realm. In the crystal, their serene face curved into a subtle smile.

An unpredictable variable from another world? Interesting…

After several attempts in the starry void, Akira realized his current power was insufficient to enter worlds without damaging them.

Though he could force his way in, that would defeat the purpose. After brief consideration, he retrieved Kūkan Mukai and returned to his own world.

This sort of headache was better delegated to Aizen and the others.

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1st Division Research and Development Institute.

Aizen stood before a massive container, calmly observing the changes within. Liquid Reishi and phosphorous gas intertwined to form brilliant light, constantly colliding and crossing — trying to merge but held back by some unseen force.

When a Hell Togabito’s soul was placed inside, it was annihilated within three seconds, the powerful impact reducing it to nothingness.

The merger of the Sangai and Hell wasn’t as harmonious as it appeared. While the world functioned well overall, there were flaws in the details that ordinary people couldn’t perceive.

The fate of the Togabito was one such flaw. Already dead, their reappearance through the worlds’ merger violated the iron law of life and death. As the boundary between life and death blurred, the world’s operation began to show serious problems.

Fortunately, this didn’t last long.

Since the Sangai led the merger, the Togabito became part of its rules, transforming into Reishi and merging into the corresponding world for a new cycle — what Akira termed reincarnation.

Not all traces of Hell vanished, though. The horrible punishments for thoroughly evil sinners became a special space separate from the Sangai. When a dead person was found to carry sin, the gates of Hell would appear, their chains dragging the sinner straight to punishment.

The original eight levels of Hell had expanded to eighteen, thanks to someone’s wicked sense of humor.

The rules weren’t perfect, and Aizen’s research aimed to find these loopholes so Akira could patch them, making the world as complete as possible — a major project that would take time.

As Aizen recorded data and prepared his next experiment, a voice that could raise anyone’s blood pressure suddenly filled the laboratory.

“Sōsuke, help me!” Akira burst in, fixing his good-for-everything son with sincere eyes.

Aizen gave his husky an annoyed look, “Tell me, what is it now?”

Akira grinned and explained his discoveries and recent events in detail.

Aizen’s calm demeanor gave way to surprise. He’d thought Akira was content after merging the Sangai and Hell, but clearly his ambition knew no bounds.

After a moment’s thought, he looked up, “How much do you know about this unknown world? If we go there, could we face unbeatable enemies? How safe would it be? And how would we return?”

“…” The barrage of questions left Akira seeing stars.

“Listen, crossing between worlds isn’t child’s play.” Aizen explained, “We need precise data and information. Otherwise, such dangerous behavior is out of the question — even for the strongest in the world.”

Akira stroked his chin thoughtfully, “Actually, that world’s aura feels familiar. If I had to guess, it might be a parallel world to ours.”

At these words, Aizen sharply turned to look at him, his eyes filled with disbelief.

After regaining his composure, he considered the implications. If their world had Akira, the parallel world might contain similar beings. For safety’s sake, thorough research would be necessary.

“Take me to see this starry sky you mentioned.”

Akira grinned and snapped his fingers with a crisp sound.

Black chains extended from the corner of the laboratory, wrapping around their bodies and slowly pulling them down into the shadows.

Two figures appeared in the boundless starry sky.

Aizen gazed at the magnificent sight before him, feeling a surge of emotion.

Even among transcendent beings, there were hierarchies. When it came to causing trouble, he had to admit he was far behind Akira.

Following Kūkan Mukai’s direction, he observed a star that felt both familiar and strange. Using the Hōgyoku’s power, he collected and analyzed data, concluding that it was indeed a parallel world — one with a low danger level.

Aizen turned to the star-eyed husky and said, “Let’s head back first. I still have research to complete.”

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After finishing his day’s work, the workahorsic Kisuke returned to the laboratory, planning to discuss recent project data with Aizen.

However, when he arrived, he found the room empty. An intense sense of unease instantly gripped his heart, spreading throughout his body like a consuming darkness.

Without hesitation, he rushed to the control panel, his fingers flying across the keyboard to bring up the screen.

Soon, text appeared:

{ Lord Urahara, the situation is urgent, so please forgive this manner of communication. Akira has discovered the existence of a parallel world. Out of scientific curiosity, and to prevent potential catastrophe, I’ve decided to accompany him there.

The upcoming research projects are listed in the database. Some experiments cannot be delayed, please complete them immediately. If all goes well, I’ll bring you souvenirs as compensation.

From Sōsuke Aizen }

After reading the message, Kisuke’s eyes turned bloodshot. He gritted his teeth, his features twisting with fury.

He was already miserable enough being exploited by Akira daily without rest. He had finally finished his work and was thinking of taking a break, but now he had to deal with this mess that the monster had left behind.

Sōsuke Aizen, I despise you!!

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The World of the Living, Karakura Town.

In the sky above the ruined city, several figures emanating powerful Reiatsu faced each other in battle.

All eyes fixed on the white figure above, their expressions grim. Aizen, his face covered in white substance with only his eyes visible, gazed calmly at his opponent and spoke evenly.

“You are the only person in Soul Society whose intelligence surpasses mine. Even with our unequal powers, I still admire you.”

Kisuke pushed down his green and white striped bucket hat and replied softly, “You flatter me… These days, I’m just a mere shopkeeper.”

⤫ Hadō #32: Ōkasen ⥤ Yellow Fire Flash

! ⤬

Yellow-red flames erupted from his palm, surging toward the target.

Yet for Aizen in his current state, such an attack couldn’t penetrate his defenses. He dispersed the Kidō with a mere wave of his hand.

In that instant, a figure swift as a cheetah appeared before him, driving forward a fist wrapped in special equipment pulsing with instantaneous force.

Crack!

The violent impact struck Aizen’s forearm, shattering his white shell. Kisuke seized his chance, activating Benihime to weave a web of Reiatsu that sealed Aizen’s escape routes, its red beads radiating intense heat.

Boom!

A fierce explosion engulfed Aizen, and a disheveled figure burst through the smoke.

Before he could regain his stance, another black figure materialized behind him, gripping a Zanpakutō with both hands as powerful Reiatsu spiraled around the blade.

⤫ Getsuga Tenshō ⥤ Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer! ⤬

The impact rocked the ruins like a volcanic eruption, obliterating buildings for a kilometer around and leaving a massive crater.

Isshin Kurosaki observed his handiwork, but no satisfaction showed on his face as he stared intently at the swirling dust. His instincts warned him — Aizen still lived.

True enough, a broken figure emerged slowly from the dust cloud, blue-purple light seeping from its cracks.

“I now understand your powers. Next—”

Before he could finish, a pitch-black passage materialized from nowhere, radiating an aura of pure nothingness.

Several shocked pairs of eyes watched as a figure emerged — one both familiar and somehow strange.

Kisuke’s eyes widened in disbelief.

That was… Aizen?!

⤫⤬⤫

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