Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

Late into the night, the two engaged in a lengthy discussion.

They still couldn't pinpoint exactly what had happened to Akira. However, one thing was undeniable: he had become dozens of times stronger since completing his unique Jinzen.

The sudden surge in Reiatsu alone would qualify him for immediate graduation and even an Officer position in the Gotei 13. Furthermore, the changes in his spiritual body — specifically the increase in Reiryoku — enabled him to wield combat power far exceeding his current Reiatsu level.

{T/N: A brief explanation: Reiryoku is the amount of energy, while Reiatsu is this energy in use, exerting pressure and representing the quality of Spiritual Energy. Thus, Akira now possesses abundant Spiritual Energy, but it will take time for its quality to match its quantity.}

Unable to grasp it all at once, Akira abandoned this brain-taxing endeavor and instead began to assess his recent growth in strength.

He sprawled on the bed, eyes fixed on the vibrant cloth ceiling, and with a mere thought, his personal status panel materialized.

〈 Name: Akira Kisaragi 〉

〈 Identity: Sakahone Shrine Head Priest, Rukongai Commoner, Shin'ō Academy First-Year Student 〉

〈 Reiatsu: Level 46 | Rank 12 Spirit Class 〉

〈 Zanjutsu: Level 32 〉

〈 Hakuda: Level 21 〉

〈 Hohō: Level 20 〉

〈 Kidō: Level 23 〉

〈 Exclusive Trait: Reishi Affinity | Danger Instinct | Heart of a God | Miraculous Healing | Light as a Feather 〉

Compared to its simplicity when he first entered the academy, his personal status panel now looked far more impressive. Not only had his Reiatsu skyrocketed, but even his basic combat skills — Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō — had improved significantly.

While occasional lucky Daily and Monthly Check-in rewards contributed, most of his progress stemmed from his own diligence and consistent practice.

Akira's talent wasn't bad to begin with. His unique trait [Heart of a God] maximized his aptitude, while [Reishi Affinity] enhanced his Reiryoku and Reiatsu cultivation. If he persevered, he'd undoubtedly become a Captain-class powerhouse in the future.

Of course, he wouldn't stop there. Though uncertain about later developments in the Bleach world, he knew that even Captain-class powerhouses were mere cannon fodder in the early stages — at best, slightly tougher cannon fodder.

'Looks like I don't have any major weaknesses.' Akira mused, stroking his chin, 'I wonder how I stack up against Sōsuke. From what I've seen, he seems pretty average. His Zanjutsu, Hakuda, Hohō, and Kidō are middle-of-the-pack in our class, and his Reiatsu is nothing special. This level of strength doesn't do justice to his future badass status.'

While Akira analyzed his progress, Aizen lay on the opposite bed, hands crossed, gaze fixed on the ceiling.

Countless thoughts raced through his mind as he compared, speculated, and gathered evidence, continuously cross-referencing various possibilities. Curiosity drove him to seek the true answer to the question.

However, just as his mental faculties were operating at full speed, a muffled rumbling broke the dormitory's silence.

Gurgle, gurgle gurgle—

A mischievous voice quickly followed.

"Hehe, Sōsuke, what do you think? At this hour... the chefs at the Academy cafeteria should be asleep, right?"

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The next day, at the Academy cafeteria.

Akira listlessly played with the rice ball in front of him, his gaze mournfully fixed on the pickled cucumber beside it. At this moment, he felt that life was meaningless, and death was the ultimate destination for all living beings.

Aizen, carrying his tray, sat opposite him. The sweet aroma of plum soup and the rich smell of meat cutlet immediately caught someone's attention.

"Even though you owe the academy ₭390,000, it shouldn't be this bad, right?" Glancing at the half-dead priest, he sighed lightly, once again realizing he couldn't align his thought process with this guy's, "Besides, even if you try to save money this way, it won't make much difference."

Hearing this, Akira lifted his head from the plum soup and meat cutlet, his face expressionless.

"You're right. Although I'm still just a first-year student at the Shin'ō Academy, my current assets are enough to ensure I'm well-fed and clothed for the rest of my life. Isn't it unbelievable? At my age, I've reached this point where I can eat whatever I want, buy whatever I want. If I were to die tomorrow..."

Aizen shook his head and sighed, then gracefully began his meal, completely ignoring the increasingly sorrowful gaze of his friend across the table. He knew very well that Akira was only pretending to be pitiful.

Last night, after their conversation ended, this guy had dragged him along to sneak into the Academy cafeteria. After instructing him to keep watch, he had entered a gluttonous state, his eating method too gruesome to watch.

The reason this guy only took two rice balls and a small dish of pickled cucumbers wasn't to save money, but simply because he was too full to eat anymore.

As a Shinigami with high Reiatsu, Aizen, who was still in his growth stage, couldn't maintain his life with just a small amount of water intake like the ordinary residents of Rukongai. Moreover, due to his high Reiryoku, he often needed to consume more food than the average Shinigami.

Akira was a similar case. Forcing down his nausea and adhering to the principle of never wasting food, he finished the rice balls and pickled cucumbers.

Then the two of them headed to today's class together.

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East Rukongai, 64th District, Sabitsura.

Violent and chaotic Reiatsu collided furiously, an intense atmosphere permeating the air. Deafening battle cries shattered the century-long silence of this plain.

Over a hundred Shinigami engaged in fierce combat. Their eyes were bloodshot, filled with countless red veins, as if they had gone berserk.

Though their individual strength was no more than that of ordinary squad members, the scale of their battle surpassed that of some lower-ranked Officers.

Kidō spells exploded continuously, scorching flames burned wildly amidst the rolling dust, and piercing cries of anguish seemed particularly insignificant on this battlefield.

Among the battling factions, one figure slightly shorter than the others caught the eye. The face that should have been gentle was now filled with determination, smooth black medium-length hair stained with dark red blood.

Compared to his time at the Shin'ō Academy, Sōjun Kuchiki's demeanor had undergone a drastic change. He held his blade in his right hand, Kidō light surging in his left, as he vigilantly watched every movement on the battlefield.

However, even so, an unexpected event occurred.

"Young Lord Sōjun..." A startled cry came from behind.

Sōjun whirled around, instinctively swinging his Zanpakutō towards the back, but it sliced through empty air.

A ferocious face appeared in his line of sight.

Slash—

With the sound of flesh tearing, a stabbing pain came from his chest.

Sōjun looked down in shock, only to find that a blade had evaded his attack and pierced straight into his heart.

Woosh!

In that instant, a burst of Reiatsu erupted, a massive pillar of dazzling light shooting straight into the sky, illuminating the heavens.

The entire battlefield seemed to pause, countless gazes turning towards the direction of the light pillar.

Within that intense light, a deep darkness, like viscous blood, gradually flowed out. The darkness slowly coalesced into a vague, distorted right arm, standing tall on the battlefield.

Heaviness, fear, pain — the ink-black color sketched and painted across the sky until darkness covered everything.

Silence became the dominant tone of the battlefield.

In the next moment, an indifferent single eye slowly opened on the back of the hand!

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