Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

"What the hell is this?!" Rōjūrō stared dumbfounded at the black chains flowing like a torrent before him, momentarily unable to comprehend the sight.

He had assumed his opponent was merely a brute who excelled at close combat, but now the man had summoned chains even thicker than his own.

How could he possibly counter this?

As the black torrent surged majestically toward him, his internal alarms blared. With no time to hesitate, he immediately deployed Kinshara's backup hidden technique.

Countless golden threads spread across the battlefield, weaving between the chain links. They not only closed the distance between the combatants but also radiated a sharp, blade-like intensity.

Rōjūrō transformed into a piano virtuoso, his ten fingers dancing elegantly while his golden wavy hair swayed behind him.

"Even with your Shikai activated, it makes no difference. Enjoy the beauty of the music!"

The moment his words faded, the golden threads instantly contracted, crossing over the black chain torrent toward Akira in a lethal embrace.

The air erupted with wailing, the piercing sounds rising to become the battlefield's highest notes. Sharp clashes of steel thundered through the space.

The nearby Shinigami, witnessing this terrifying display, instinctively recoiled. If the barrier lost control, even the battle's shock waves could crush them to dust.

Akira manipulated his black chains with precision, blocking every golden thread and effortlessly neutralizing Rōjūrō's parallel line killing technique.

Even the crackling lightning Kidō flowing along Kinshara and Kūkan Mukai couldn't penetrate his defenses. Having weathered the Haien pattern's assault, his Spiritual Defense had grown frighteningly powerful.

Seeing his opponent unmoved, Rōjūrō felt a surge of dread and immediately moved to withdraw Kinshara.

But he was too late.

Akira grinned and waved his hand.

⤫ Kūkan Kusari Kansei ⥤ Void Chain Pitfall! ⤬

Rōjūrō felt an overwhelming force surge through Kinshara, yanking his entire body toward his adversary.

He maintained his grip on his Zanpakutō. Unlike Akira, who disregarded his blade, most Shinigami held more than half their power in their Zanpakutō. Without it, they would be helpless.

Where the sword is, there is life — an indisputable truth in Soul Society.

The power erupted, instantly closing the distance between them.

Before Rōjūrō could defend himself, a massive fist filled his vision and struck with devastating force.

BOOM!!

His body convulsed, his mind went blank, and his vision darkened as he was launched backward, slamming violently into the barrier.

The spectating Shinigami heard only a thunderous bang as the once-handsome Rōjūrō was pinned spread-eagle against the inner circle's light screen.

Ripples pulsed outward in concentric circles, creating a spectacular display.

Hachigen Ushōda's heart lurched, and he rushed forward to repair the Kidō barrier that had cracked under the impact.

It was clear that even if the Bakudō barrier's strength were increased tenfold, it might not be enough.

From his high platform, Genryūsai nodded approvingly.

This was the brutish disciple he knew well — one for whom flash steps and evasion were ill-suited.

The other Captains winced at the sight, their scalps tingling as they imagined themselves in the unfortunate victim's position.

Akira flexed his hand, bringing his fingers together with a resounding crack.

He had actually held back significantly — without restraint, that blow would have obliterated Rōjūrō's undefended head.

While his opponent's strength was impressive — worth at least eight or ten cars — his tactical sense was nonexistent.

He had foolishly revealed his abilities, allowing his opponent to seize victory from certain defeat.

Like a poker player showing his hand prematurely, only to be crushed by his opponent's perfect sequence.

His wisdom fell far short of mine.

Rōjūrō shook his head groggily, blood seeping from his mouth, his face swollen and bruised — his former beauty completely destroyed.

Drawing a deep breath, his expression settled into calm resolve.

⤫ Bankai: Kinshara Butōdan ⥤ Final Release: Golden Shala Dance Troupe! ⤬

BOOM!!

The moment the words fell, the air trembled as fierce winds rose from the ground, unleashing ear-splitting howls across the training ground.

A brilliant pillar of Reiatsu shot skyward, waves of energy pulsing outward from Rōjūrō at its center. The solid ground split open with fierce cracks.

Akira watched as his opponent's Reiatsu soared upward, transforming into countless golden threads that swiftly wove together.

Strange-looking dancers materialized on the shattered battlefield, while enormous golden hands hovered above, their fingers trembling like a puppeteer's controlling marionettes.

As the Bankai unfolded, music filled the air. Between the musical notes came the sound of ocean currents, and touches of azure appeared in Akira's vision.

Watching the deep waters surge from all directions, he grinned, his reckless spirit rising.

In battles between Shinigami, intelligence often proved crucial. Knowledge of an enemy's abilities could instantly turn the tide of battle.

Akira could have easily won by simply piercing his eardrums, thoroughly defeating Rōjūrō.

But that would make this Captain Qualification Test far less interesting. Instead, he drew upon his exceptional wisdom to devise a more spectacular strategy.

Outside the barrier, Aizen observed his friend's foolish grin in the battlefield's center, and an inexplicable sense of dread welled up in his heart.

Three days earlier, during their practice session, Akira had mentioned the Captain Qualification Test and cordially invited him to observe.

He had claimed it would discourage Aizen's scientific pursuits and reveal the profound truth that all great power comes from within.

So Aizen, driven by curiosity, had come to watch.

The battle's early stages had proceeded as expected, but everything changed when Rōjūrō released his Bankai.

The chains scattered across the training ground instantly retracted with a rattling sound, as countless blinding sparks and screeching steel erupted from the earth.

Before the ocean currents could reach him, the chains wrapped around Akira's right arm.

Power buff, activate!

⤫ Mugen Murasaki Kaen Bakuha ⥤ Unbounded Purple Flame Burst! ⤬

Deep purple flames burst forth, enveloping his body and radiating intense heat. The ground cracked open instantly, its moisture rapidly evaporating.

An illusion, huh?

Akira's lips curled into a fierce grin as he stood like a demon god at the center, facing the surging ocean currents head-on.

The currents transformed into whirlpools, their tremendous force washing over his body — yet he stood unmoved, like a mountain rooted to the earth.

Rōjūrō's face twitched frantically as his worldview crumbled.

Since mastering Bankai, he had faced two enemies.

The first had instantly analyzed and nullified his Bankai's abilities, rendering his proud Kinshara Butōdan worthless.

During his recovery, Rōjūrō had reflected deeply and enhanced his Bankai's auditory aspects. After intense training and experimentation, he achieved his goal.

Now, neither Kidō nor Reiatsu defense alone could resist Kinshara's influence.

Then came his second enemy — Akira Kisaragi.

When his Bankai unfolded and the Kinshara dancers summoned endless ocean currents, Rōjūrō glimpsed victory.

But that hope was short-lived.

Akira stood against the raging currents like an immovable force, grinning as he charged forward with the momentum of a runaway truck.

The ground split with savage fissures, and even the Kidō barriers trembled before his rising deep purple flames, straining under waves of unbearable pressure.

⤫ Prometheus ⥤ Envoy of the Volcano! ⤬

Rōjūrō made one final attempt. Scorching flames burst from the Kinshara flowers blooming on the dancers' faces, engulfing the surrounded figure.

But to his despair, it proved futile. Akira advanced steadily.

The attack wasn't completely ineffective — Akira felt the burning sensation, but this pain paled compared to what he'd endured while inscribing Kidō patterns. It couldn't breach his defenses.

From the platform, Aizen watched thoughtfully, recalling his own battle with Rōjūrō frame by frame.

'Using hearing to deceive the mind, which then affects the physical body — it's essentially illusion. When one believes they're being deceived, the damage manifests.' His eyes brightened with understanding, 'Akira isn't fully affected because his mind is terrifyingly resolute at this moment. This guy...'

His gaze toward the battlefield grew complex as countless thoughts raced through his mind, finally settling into a deep sigh.

"So this was your purpose in inviting me to watch..."

⤫ Ein Heldenleben ⥤ Hero's Life! ⤬

In the face of approaching despair, Rōjūrō waved his conductor's baton, unleashing the final movement.

The golden dancers launched their suicide attacks, repeatedly charging at the figure wreathed in purple flames until their bodies were destroyed, pierced, and torn to pieces.

Bathed in fragments of gold and fallen dancers, Akira advanced to meet the attack. His fingers closed together several meters away, unleashing a sonic boom.

"Even if victory is impossible, shouldn't one exit like a hero?" Rōjūrō's face flushed as, encouraged by Akira, he released his final Reiatsu. The notes grew passionate and intense, building to a crescendo.

Even the Shinigami beyond the barrier heard the faint symphony.

A golden giant hand, woven from parallel lines, descended from the heavens, smashing down toward the figure before it. The air exploded with howling sounds.

Seeing this, Akira's eyes lit up.

This was the battle scene he had wanted to see — under his guidance, Rōjūrō had indeed discovered Kinshara's true purpose!

The sharp melody reached its final burst, and the shadow of the golden fist loomed larger and larger until it was suddenly within reach!

Akira grinned and threw a punch forward, unleashing a massive roar.

⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Kūhaku Hakai ⥤ Origin Style: Single Empty Destruction! ⤬

His fist, burning with deep purple flames, raised a thunderous boom as it shattered the golden fist like dead wood.

Brilliant waves of Reiatsu surged in all directions. Thunder-like roars erupted as aftershocks spread and the earth trembled.

The surrounding Kidō barriers shattered instantly. Hachigen's expression changed drastically as he clasped his hands together, releasing all his Reiatsu to construct layer upon layer of defensive barriers, containing the wildly surging windstorm.

As the aftershocks dissipated and the swirling dust settled, the Shinigami looked anxiously toward the center of the field. The ground was completely devastated, crisscrossed with trenches as if trampled by Hollows.

Two figures stood facing each other.

A hint of unwillingness flickered in Rōjūrō's eyes, but exhausted, he could only collapse helplessly as his vision faded to black.

"Rōjūrō Ōtoribashi, Captain Qualification Test passed."

Only when Akira casually announced the result did everyone snap out of their daze, looking with awe at his completely unscathed figure.

At any time, Shinigami will revere the strong.

Chōjirō, who was in charge, flashed into the field and briefly checked Rōjūrō's condition.

Although his injuries were severe, fortunately nothing vital was damaged. He would be able to take office after some rest. Akira had shown good control in his attacks.

As he announced the end of the test, 4th Division members hurried onto the field to provide emergency treatment to Rōjūrō.

Genryūsai stood on the high platform, leaning on his staff, calmly watching the Shinigami Officers excitedly discussing below, his gaze flowing, his eyes growing more profound.

"Perhaps not relying on a Zanpakutō's power is also a correct path..."

⤫⤬⤫

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