BLEACH: SURVIVAL SYSTEM

Akira clicked on the lottery without hesitation, his eyes fixed intently on the turntable that appeared before him.

As the turntable slowed to a stop, a system prompt flashed before his eyes:

[Congratulations to the Host for obtaining the excellent "Observation Haki"!]

"Observation Haki?"

Akira was momentarily stunned before a surge of joy washed over him.

Observation Haki was one of the three types of Haki in One Piece, granting its user the ability to sense attacks and gauge the strength of an opponent's presence. Those proficient in it could detect enemies beyond their line of sight, anticipate their movements in the next instant, and even perceive emotions and intent.

"At first glance, it might seem like a mere auxiliary skill without a direct boost to combat power... but it's a perfect match with the Thunder Fruit!"

That was precisely why Akira was so pleasantly surprised.

After all, the Thunder Fruit was one of the rare Devil Fruits that synergized exceptionally well with Observation Haki. Its lightning-speed reactions and enhanced perception combined to form a nearly untouchable defense.

"But what exactly does 'excellent' Observation Haki mean?"

He could feel the surge of Haki within him, and its intensity was anything but ordinary.

Previously, he had obtained an excellent Shunpo, boosting his speed to a level that even most Captains found difficult to follow. If this Observation Haki was on the same level, then the results would be astonishing.

"Om—"

Closing his eyes, Akira activated his Observation Haki, allowing his perception to expand outward at an alarming rate.

Within mere seconds, his sensory field reached its limit.

"The range is massive... It even covers the entire Seireitei!"

This unexpected discovery left him momentarily speechless.

Seireitei was by no means small, and for his Observation Haki to encompass its entirety meant that nothing within its borders could escape his awareness.

"As for its other capabilities..."

Akira systematically tested his newfound power, gradually forming a clearer understanding of its strengths.

Although he had not yet reached the highest level of Observation Haki—the ability to foresee the future—he had undoubtedly mastered all its fundamental applications to their absolute peak.

Firstly, his range was astonishing.

Beyond simple enemy detection, Observation Haki allowed him to:

Sense incoming attacks and predict an opponent's next move.

Gauge the strength of individuals.

Perceive emotions and even thoughts to some extent.

Detect the number and positioning of hidden objects or enemies.

The degree of proficiency in these abilities varied from person to person, but Akira was certain—his had already reached the absolute pinnacle of what an ordinary user could achieve!

"I wonder what lies beyond this level... How much stronger can it become?"

The thought filled him with anticipation.

Whether it was the ability to glimpse the future or read the inner thoughts of others, the higher echelons of Observation Haki bordered on the realm of divinity.

"Hm? What's this...?"

Just as he was about to retract his Haki, something unusual caught his attention.

Within his perception, Aizen Sōsuke stood before Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname, speaking in hushed tones.

Afterward, Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname left Aizen and headed straight for the 6th Division.

"Haha, did you really try to attack me?"

Akira smirked slightly and retracted his Observation Haki.

Aizen, Ichimaru Gin, and Tōsen Kaname were completely unaware. This was yet another strength of Observation Haki—it did not belong to any known power system in Soul Society.

Had Akira used Reiatsu to perceive his surroundings, Aizen would have instantly noticed. However, since Observation Haki was an entirely different ability, Aizen had no way of sensing it, making it impossible for him to guard against.

"But this works out perfectly. This is exactly how I planned it from the beginning. I must give Aizen some credit for unknowingly playing along with my strategy."

With that thought, Akira rose to his feet, a smile forming on his lips as he prepared to make his next move. Cooperating with them for now would make survival much easier. Otherwise, wouldn't Aizen's meticulous schemes be wasted?

5th Division Barracks

After Ichimaru Gin and Tōsen Kaname left, Aizen did not allow himself to relax. He remained deep in thought, analyzing a lingering sense of unease.

Especially… just now, he had felt as though someone was watching him.

There was no logical basis for this feeling—only a sensation akin to the instincts of a seasoned warrior.

"I've investigated from every angle and found no traces… Am I being overly cautious?"

Aizen prided himself on his intelligence and control. He was confident that no one in Soul Society could observe him without his knowledge. Given his analytical nature, the absence of concrete evidence led him to dismiss the sensation as an illusion.

"It seems that Akira's sudden rise has left more of an impact on me than I expected…"

Shaking his head, Aizen's wariness of Akira deepened.

Meanwhile, after leaving Aizen, Ichimaru Gin mulled over the situation.

"There's no doubt—Akira has become a variable Aizen cannot ignore. That could be useful to my own plan to kill him… but at the same time…"

Aizen's cunning was unmatched in Soul Society. Assassinating him would require patience, deception, and complete loyalty—at least on the surface. If he exposed himself too soon, it would all be for nothing.

"Is Akira worth revealing my hand for?"

It all depended on whether Akira could truly challenge Aizen. At the moment, that seemed unlikely.

Ichimaru Gin sighed. If Akira was strong enough, he would need to survive Aizen's inevitable pursuit.

Suddenly, Tōsen Kaname, who had been using Kidō to probe their surroundings, stopped abruptly, a frown crossing his face.

"What is it?" Gin asked.

"That Akira…" Tōsen said, his voice laced with confusion. "He's suddenly moving—toward the outskirts of Seireitei."

Gin's eyes narrowed slightly.

"Now that's strange…"

Just earlier, they had discussed ways to lure Akira out of Seireitei to make him an easier target.

Yet now, he was walking into their trap of his own accord.

Visit patreon.com/shirokendama for more chapters