Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

"Are you really so determined?" Ansai let out a dry laugh, "Yamamoto, you've grown more foolish with age. No wonder your disciple has betrayed you to join the Tsunayashiro clan. Even now, you fail to see the situation clearly?

"The Kuchiki clan declines, the Shihōin hesitate to act, and the Shiba are worthless. Three of the Five Noble Houses have fallen, while only the Tsunayashiro clan rises to prominence. If I don't seize power now, I'll face the consequences!"

Hearing this, veins bulged on Genryūsai's forehead.

It wasn't the mockery that angered him, but the mention of Akira's betrayal. He could already imagine that brat badmouthing him in the Tsunayashiro estate.

Once this matter was settled, he would definitely settle accounts with that kid.

Genryūsai narrowed his eyes slightly, and a dangerous aura instantly filled the air.

"No need for such an expression. I am no longer who I was in the past." Ansai let out a cold laugh, "You don't understand the truth of this world. Despite living for thousands of years, you're nothing but a fool blinded by illusions. Yamamoto, surely you don't think I'm afraid of you?"

As his words fell, a surge of Reiatsu erupted, making the barracks feel as if the sky itself was falling!

The floorboards creaked under the unbearable weight, splitting into countless fissures as wooden splinters flew everywhere. The heavy pressure made the surrounding air dense and oppressive.

Everyone in the barracks turned toward the source of the Reiatsu, their faces filled with shock. A completely unfamiliar power had invaded the Captain-Commander's office without any of them noticing.

Chōjirō and Genshirō, who were handling official duties, exchanged glances, both seeing the surprise in each other's eyes.

Bad news: an enemy had invaded.

Good news: the invasion was in Genryūsai's office.

Having followed Genryūsai for centuries, even millennia, they had witnessed his true power.

Just days ago, he had warned them both that the Soul Society might face some turbulence soon, telling them to prepare in advance.

But they never expected the enemy would dare confront the Soul Society's strongest Shinigami directly. The Captain-Commander hadn't drawn his sword in hundreds of years, and the world had forgotten the terror of being ruled by flames...

Genryūsai's half-closed eyes slowly opened, a hint of surprise flashing in them.

Originally, Ansai had been nothing more than an insect he could crush at will, but the Reiatsu he now released far exceeded expectations.

He had become a marginally stronger insect — perhaps it would take slightly more effort to crush him.

"Fear! Tremble!" Ansai spread his arms as if embracing the world, "Witness what true power is!"

Sensing his opponent's continuously rising Reiatsu, the surprise in Genryūsai's eyes grew more pronounced. He had thought the previous surge was the limit, but it was merely the beginning.

He recalled the intelligence Akira had transmitted back.

Ansai had obtained the Artificial Soul technology to implant the Soul King's power within himself, thus gaining tremendous power.

Looking at it now, this fellow had been remarkably honest, concealing nothing even from someone like Akira.

To be outsmarted by that kid was quite the humiliation.

Genryūsai calmly observed as Ansai's Reiatsu continued to rise, watching the changes in his condition.

After a moment, he spoke quietly, "Is this all you've got?"

Ansai, who had been laughing arrogantly while basking in his expanding power, suddenly frowned at these words.

But then he saw Genryūsai rise from his seat, casually hang his Captain's haori on the coat rack despite the crushing Reiatsu, and slowly draw his Zanpakutō from its sheath on the wall.

A flash of cold light appeared, and the temperature in the office surged.

Feeling the waves of heat in the air, Ansai narrowed his eyes, growing more cautious. As expected of the Soul Society's strongest Shinigami in a thousand years — he couldn't be underestimated.

Without hesitation, he drew his own sword, and powerful energy surged forth, releasing a suffocating pressure.

When the sound of breaking air rang out, an incredibly powerful force erupted between their strikes.

The pressure kept rising!

Like a volcano brewing beneath the surface, magma churning as hot flames rose continuously — when it erupts, everything will be destroyed!

With one slash, the barracks trembled as if about to collapse, countless cracks spider-webbing from floor to walls to ceiling. The air grew thick with scorching heat.

As metal clashed against metal, Ansai finally felt this breathtaking pressure firsthand. He gained new appreciation for the title of Soul Society's strongest Shinigami in a thousand years.

Now he understood why no division members had come when they sensed the invasion. Where Genryūsai stood, that was the strongest defense.

Looking at the face before him, flames flickered in Genryūsai's eyes as his fingers tightened their grip. His flame-wreathed blade pressed straight down, overwhelming force surging forth like a volcanic eruption, scorching energy carrying indescribable danger!

Clang!!

The sound of burning metal rang out, followed by a deafening explosion. Unable to dodge in time, the impact sent Ansai flying backward, crashing hard into the wall behind him.

Boom!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The office exploded with a thunderous crash, sending clouds of dust into the air. A figure shot through the dust cloud, crashing through several buildings and leaving a long trail of destruction through the barracks.

Countless eyes turned toward the scene, but before anyone could react, Chōjirō issued the evacuation order.

This was no battle for ordinary Shinigami — even watching was too dangerous. The mere aftershocks of Genryūsai's power could reduce them to nothing, not even leaving ashes behind.

Ansai struggled to his feet from the ruins, staring ahead in horror. He had thought he had gauged Genryūsai's power to its fullest extent. Yet his highest estimation hadn't even reached the baseline.

The mere release of Genryūsai's Zanpakutō had created such devastating pressure — what terrors would his Bankai bring?

Through the settling dust emerged a figure wreathed in flames, advancing slowly like a demon risen from hell. An overwhelming pressure swept outward, as if the heavens themselves were falling.

"Those who defy justice, confess and accept your punishment..."

"Reduce All Creation to Ash…"

⤫ Shikai: Ryūjin Jakka ⥤ Initial Release: Flowing Blade-like Flame! ⤬

As the words fell, world-consuming flames surged skyward, bathing the entire barracks in brilliant light. Night gave way to day!

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The Kuchiki Manor.

Battle cries pierced the heavens as chaotic Reiatsu clashed violently in the air. Kidō light exploded brilliantly, painting the night sky in dazzling colors.

Through rolling clouds of dust, scorching flames raged while agonized screams echoed across the battlefield.

Hundreds of Shinigami clashed in fierce combat, their Reiatsu surging wildly.

Most striking among them was an indigo Reiatsu. Its wielder's unsheathed blade carved a cold silver arc through the night, claiming a life with a single, casual strike.

Under the shroud of that indigo Reiatsu, no opponent lasted more than a second. The figure moved like a soul-reaping demon, harvesting enemies with terrifying efficiency.

Until Usagimaru stepped forward to block his path. Their blades met in a shower of brilliant sparks.

The two warriors faced each other, their eyes locked in mutual hatred and fury.

"Kōga Kuchiki! Weren't you supposed to be on the Rukongai battlefield?" Usagimaru roared, "Why are you here?!"

He had dared to lead the Tsunayashiro clan's attack on the Kuchiki manor for two reasons. First, many noble houses, both lower and upper, had pledged their allegiance, bolstering their forces.

Second, and more crucial — the Kuchiki genius, Kōga Kuchiki, was supposed to be far from home.

"Father discovered your treasonous plot in advance and recalled me two days ago. Today shall be your doom!" Kōga's voice rang with conviction as his red windflower silk billowed in the wind, his Reiatsu growing ever denser.

Usagimaru's pupils constricted in disbelief.

Their plan had been exposed? A spy, perhaps...

Before he could ponder further, Kōga's assault intensified. Even without releasing his Zanpakutō, he exerted overwhelming pressure.

As the Kuchiki family's rising star, his power exceeded that of some Shinigami Captains. By Usagimaru's reckoning, even Jūshirō Ukitake couldn't match him.

Even more terrifying was Kōga's Zanpakutō — Muramasa!

This dreaded demon blade could turn other Zanpakutō against their wielders, stripping any opponent of a third of their power.

With this advantage, Kōga could challenge any Shinigami and emerge victorious. He had earned his reputation as a feared Shinigami killer on the battlefield.

Facing such a foe, Usagimaru felt both shock and panic. His already limited power, further suppressed by Kōga, left him barely able to defend, let alone counter.

"Bearing the Kuchiki name, I will never allow you to endanger the Kuchiki house!"

Under Usagimaru's despairing gaze, Kōga sent him flying with one slash, then raised his blade.

"Whisper…"

⤫ Shikai: Muramasa ⥤ Initial Release: Village-Just! ⤬

As the words fell, indigo Reiatsu pressed down instantly, blanketing the entire battlefield.

In the next moment, the Tsunayashiro Shinigami's expressions twisted in horror as their once-loyal Zanpakutō turned against them, striking viciously at their vital points.

Heads flew skyward, blood spraying in crimson arcs, plunging the battlefield into silence.

Despite his preparation, Usagimaru found himself overwhelmed by his rebellious Zanpakutō, stripped of nearly eight-tenths of his power.

Fighting Kōga was now impossible — he doubted he could even challenge a middle-Seated Officer.

As the expressionless figure approached slowly, despair deepened in his eyes.

"No, you can't kill me! Lord Tsunayashiro will soon become the new god of this world. If you kill me, your Kuchiki house will pay the price!"

At these words, a flicker of confusion crossed Kōga's face, his raised Zanpakutō wavering.

He couldn't tell truth from lie, but for his family's future, such threats couldn't be ignored.

Sensing Kōga's hesitation, Usagimaru's expression turned savage. He dropped his arms and stepped back, readying himself to flee.

Yet just as he turned to use Shunpo, a cold light flashed across his neck, leaving a crimson line.

Bang!

His lifeless corpse crumpled to the ground.

Kōga gazed expressionlessly at the scene before him, his voice soft, "But if I let you leave, the Kuchiki house would pay the price all the same. The moment you raised your hand against the Kuchiki, your fate was sealed."

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The Shihōin Manor.

Compared to the other battlefields, this one was surprisingly calm.

When the 2nd Division's Keigun arrived alongside a certain bulldozer's rampaging charge, chaos erupted across the battlefield.

The mob of nobles found themselves overwhelmed by Akira — though his Reiatsu merely matched a high-Seated Officer, his combat prowess rivaled that of a Lieutenant or even Captain.

Despite their centuries of experience, they had never witnessed someone wielding a Zanpakutō as a throwing weapon, hurling it like a knife without even releasing it.

After desperately deflecting the projectile, they faced his devastating iron fist.

A single "Hōsha" was enough to instill despair. Combined with an "Atsuryoku Sōsai", he dominated the battlefield completely.

Marenoshin watched the figure cutting through the crowd and unconsciously wiped the beading sweat from his forehead.

The memory finally struck him — earlier in Rukongai, this man had sent him flying with one punch before taking Lady Yoruichi captive.

How could someone with such unremarkable Reiatsu possess such extraordinary combat ability?

Marenoshin's composure crumbled as he considered that Yoruichi might have recognized Akira's identity and willingly participated in this display.

One person's wild behavior was concerning enough, but he never expected Lady Yoruichi — both Shihōin Family Head and 2nd Division Captain — to join in such chaos.

Could her trust in him run that deep?

Yet among those present, one person's composure had shattered even more completely.

Kusagusa Segawa stared at the familiar figure dominating the crowd, his eyes vacant and hands trembling on his sword hilt.

Could someone please explain why Lord Kisaragi had suddenly turned traitor?!

⤫⤬⤫

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