Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

Black chains erupted from below, dancing skyward and piercing through the clouds as if trying to drag down the sun itself.

There was no limit to their reach!

Tokinada's eye twitched at the sight.

The Zanpakutō in his hand was Enrakyōten, the Tsunayashiro family's hereditary blade. Passed down through countless ages, it predated the Seireitei itself.

Its power was to copy and mimic any Zanpakutō it had witnessed, with its true strength lying in its ability to release multiple powers simultaneously.

At this moment, Tokinada was wielding Shinji Hirako's Zanpakutō, Sakanade.

When released, the blade emitted a potent fragrance. Any enemy who inhaled this scent would have their entire perception reversed — up, down, left, right, front, back, even the direction of sword strikes.

A true "Upside Down World"!

No one could fight properly under these conditions. Those who faced Shinji often met their end in confusion, swiftly beheaded.

And now, this was Akira's fate.

But a crucial question remained — whose Zanpakutō could stretch to such lengths?!

The endless black chains extended beyond sight, seemingly reaching the world's edge, leaving observers in stunned silence.

They had dismissed Genryūsai's disciple as a mere brawler, yet his soul manifestation Zanpakutō possessed such an extraordinary power.

More astonishing still — this was only its Initial Release.

Given that Bankai multiplied combat power by five to ten times that of Shikai, with some geniuses exceeding even that... His potential power upon mastering Bankai was beyond imagination.

Could he be the next candidate for Kenpachi, the Strongest Shinigami?

The observing nobles and the beaten Tokinada twitched their eyes at the thought, considering his youth.

This was beyond outrageous...

"Eh?" Akira noticed something odd when his attack failed, "Is this that floor-washing guy's Zanpakutō ability?"

He hadn't noticed the release command earlier.

Though he couldn't grasp Enrakyōten's ability, Sakanade's power was unmistakable. It was among those rare Zanpakutō that were more effective using Shikai against powerful foes, while reserving Bankai for weaker opponents.

This peculiarity had put Shinji in an awkward position — even during the blood war with the Quincy, he couldn't freely unleash his Bankai like other Shinigami Captains.

Tokinada flash-stepped, appearing behind Akira with his right hand extended straight.

⤫ Hadō #63: Raikōhō ⥤ Thunder Roar Sear! ⤬

At his command, brilliant golden light erupted from his palm. Fierce lightning arcs twisted skyward, transforming into a golden flood that blanketed the heavens.

The lightning condensed into a massive pillar of light, instantly engulfing Akira.

Shunsui's pupils contracted — everything happened too quickly for him to attempt a rescue.

Worse still, the copied Sakanade's fragrance had affected not just Akira, but him and Jūshirō as well.

Unable to control their bodies, they could only watch as the charred figure plummeted from the golden lightning like a meteor, crashing into the ground and forming a deep crater.

The ground cracked and collapsed, spider web-like fissures spreading across the mansion's courtyard.

"Junior brother!"

Jūshirō cried out in alarm, but before he could move to help, Tokinada had already returned to strike, his face twisted in a vicious smile that embodied his malice toward the world.

He had abandoned his so-called loftier ideals. Using his own soul as payment to make others suffer didn't seem like such a bad choice anymore.

⤫ Hadō #73: Sōren Sōkatsui ⥤ Twin Lotus Blue Fire, Crash Down! ⤬

Azure flames burst forth, transforming into a dazzling beam that painted the sky as it shot toward the attacking Tokinada.

In a state where perception was reversed, Kidō proved to be the most effective form of attack.

But something even more unexpected occurred.

Silver light extended from Tokinada's tightly gripped sword handle, a fleeting blade materializing within it, perfectly intercepting the raging flames in the sky. Then instantly absorbing them all.

Shunsui's expression changed drastically as cold sweat ran down his temples. He had finally deduced the ability of Enrakyōten.

The power to freely copy and mimic others' Zanpakutō abilities!

"Jūshirō, be careful!"

"The one who should be careful is you, Captain Kyōraku..."

Tokinada pointed his sword handle forward with his right hand. In that instant, a flood of azure flames swept across the horizon, its scorching heat distorting the air itself.

The flames were even more violent than before, forming wave-like patterns as they shot forth like a laser cannon, crossing the distance to strike directly at Shunsui.

⤫ Bakudō #81: Dankū ⥤ Splitting Void! ⤬

At the critical moment, Shunsui remained composed. He formed a transparent barrier that pierced heaven and earth, its defensive range far exceeding that of Ansai and Kōga.

The azure flood crashed against it, blooming like a brilliant flower as it scattered in all directions.

As one of the rare century-old Captains, Shunsui was formidable. Though not as powerful as during the Thousand-Year Blood War, he was still not to be underestimated.

With just a few more minutes to adapt, he would be able to face Tokinada head-on, even under Sakanade's effect.

However, what mattered now was the one who took a direct hit...

Boom—

From the crater erupted a brutal Reiatsu. Deep purple flames exploded upward, forming a terrifying pillar of fire that reached the sky!

Under countless shocked gazes, a figure wrapped in flames slowly walked out.

The observers stepped back, swallowing hard as they watched Akira emerge without serious injury, his fierce presence undiminished.

Was this guy a monster? Taking a direct hit from Hadō #63 and still standing?!

This wasn't just any Kidō — it came from a master.

Tokinada, a fellow disciple of the Genji School alongside Shunsui and Jūshirō, possessed remarkable talent, though his quiet nature had kept him from standing out.

His Reiatsu and strength ranked among the finest of the Shinigami Captains. This was precisely why Genryūsai had sent Shunsui and Jūshirō as escorts.

Though Akira could endure hits, his raw strength alone would make defeating the opponent difficult.

Looking at that figure brimming with fighting spirit, Tokinada's eye twitched with increasing intensity.

He particularly despised these unpredictable types. The more unreasonable someone was, the harder they were to control — like a runaway truck without steering, careening toward an unknown destination.

"Enrakyōten's ability is to mimic other people's Zanpakutō powers." Seeing Akira unharmed, Shunsui exhaled in relief while hurriedly sharing his discovery, hoping to prevent another reckless charge.

But before he could finish speaking, a figure wreathed in deep purple flames had already launched straight at Tokinada, fist raised to strike.

⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Ikkotsu ⥤ Origin Style: Single Bone! ⤬

Under Tokinada's shocked gaze, Akira crashed down like a meteor, his fist unleashing devastating power.

The Reiatsu shield shattered instantly. The earth trembled as dust and smoke billowed upward. Surrounding buildings crumbled with thunderous force, their debris soaring skyward.

The aftershock engulfed the entire Tsunayashiro mansion, fierce winds howling endlessly through the grounds.

People instinctively raised their Reiatsu shields against the impact. Even so, the blast threw them backward, its effects reaching for miles.

Shunsui and Jūshirō watched in amazement as Akira dominated the battle, making them feel like mere spectators.

Before Shunsui's warning could reach him, the young disciple had already mastered his bearings and unleashed the Ikkotsu — a technique that only Genryūsai could execute perfectly.

As the dust settled, Tokinada's form became visible among the ruins.

He lay in the dirt, carved a deep furrow before him, his former elegance shattered. His chest had caved slightly, blood trickled from his mouth, and his flesh bore black burns.

This was even with his Reiatsu shield absorbing most of the impact. One could only imagine how devastating the outcome would have been from a direct hit.

His face twisted in pain, his mind struggling to comprehend.

What kind of joke was this?! How could anyone adapt to Sakanade's inversion so quickly?

Was this guy even human?!

Through the clearing smoke, Akira's figure emerged. To everyone's amazement, he simply kept his eyes closed, fighting purely on instinct.

Tokinada: "..."

As a member of the Tsunayashiro family who controlled the Daireishokairō (Great Spirit Book Gallery), few Shinigami could match his knowledge.

Yet Akira completely defied common sense — this was his first encounter with such an anomaly.

He had witnessed all of Akira's previous battles: the fight against Ansai, the obliteration of Takeda Chishi, and his role as examiner in Rōjūrō's captain qualification test.

He had dismissed Akira as merely a talented Shinigami, but facing him directly revealed the truth — this man was utterly beyond comprehension.

Sakanade's ability had failed, the point-blank Hadō #63 had failed, and these flames engulfing his body — could they really be just a form of Kidō release?!

"Monster!" Tokinada cursed under his breath, gripping his sword handle tightly with his other hand.

As he poured all his Reiatsu into it, knife-like pain pierced his soul, yet his face twisted into an expression of pleasure.

"Massacre the auspicious omens and come into being; respect the darkness as you become decrepit with age…"

Sensing danger, Akira instinctively retreated.

The ground collapsed where he had stood, and a giant white mouth emerged, voraciously devouring the crumbling soil.

A creature as massive as a brown bear rose from the ruins — a huge sphere three meters in diameter, its bizarre form nothing but a maw of terrifying teeth.

Shunsui's expression had become extremely grim.

This was the Zanpakutō ability of his former friend, the 7th Kenpachi Kuruyashiki — Gagaku Kairō.

"Danger is everywhere." Though Akira sensed the malicious intent surging like a tide around him with his eyes closed, he felt no fear.

Before Tokinada could utter any threats, black chains spiraled and wrapped around Akira's right arm—Spirit Body Enhancement!

⤫ Mugen Shirorai Kasoku ⥤ Unbounded White Lightning Acceleration ⤬

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

Immense power coursed through his entire body, swelling his confidence. The current Akira felt he could knock down old man Genryūsai with a single punch.

Sensing the danger rushing toward him, his lips curled into a ferocious grin as he launched a straightforward punch.

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

Under countless shocked gazes, his chain-wrapped right arm struck the massive white sphere with devastating force. A thunderous roar shook the air.

Rooaar—BOOM!!

Burning heat mixed with violent electric arcs exploded throughout the summoned creature's body. Fierce winds howled as scorching gales shot straight to the sky.

With just one hit, it was completely destroyed!

White corpse fragments scattered and splattered across the ruins, painting a grotesque scene of devastation.

Seeing this, Tokinada felt his mouth go dry. He had expected his former classmates, Kyōraku or Ukitake, to be his greatest threats.

Yet before they could even adjust to Sakanade's effects, this newly initiated junior was already about to destroy him.

⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Kaen Hōsha ⥤ Origin Style: Flame Discharge! ⤬

They watched as Akira charged alone into the group of white spheres, unleashing an indiscriminate assault. Each punch obliterated a sphere, leaving only scattered fragments of the Gagaku Kairō summons strewn across the ground. Not a single intact corpse remained.

In the blink of an eye, Tokinada's trump card, summoned at the cost of his own soul, lay shattered—nothing but white fragments scattered across the ground.

Soon, under terrified gazes, Akira appeared before him, his mouth curling into a grin that belonged to a demon or rakshasa.

"Your turn!"

His fists were now crimson with blood, cracks spreading across the skin as droplets spattered outward, only to instantly vaporize in the purple flames.

This demon-like figure would surely leave Tokinada with lasting psychological trauma.

Yet even now, he refused to yield, raising his bladeless Enrakyōten once more to manifest another copied power.

"Reduce All Creation to Ash…"

Like a sun wheel, flames erupted and spread, filling the enormous mansion with heat so intense it distorted everything it touched. With one swing of his sword, the violent flames transformed into an unstoppable tornado, bearing down directly ahead!

Seeing this, Akira's eyes lit up.

Oh nice, Ryūjin Jakka, is it?! Can't beat Yama-jii, but beating a knockoff works too!

Facing the roaring inferno, his muscles and fascia trembled violently, channeling every ounce of power from his frame, condensing it into lines, focusing it to a single point.

⤫ Kūkyō Genso Henkō ⥤ Empty State, Elemental Transformation! ⤬

The inscribed Kidō patterns concentrated their power into his fists, radiating extreme heat. His body tilted slightly as both fists struck forward.

⤫ Genshiki-ryū: Sōkūhaku Hakai ⥤ Origin Style: Double Empty Destruction! ⤬

BOOM!! BOOM!!

Buildings exploded layer by layer for kilometers around as roaring flames transformed into armies thousands strong, all centered on the Tsunayashiro mansion, clashing without restraint!

The entire noble district shook with thunderous force. Onlookers watched in terror as deep purple and crimson flames intertwined and annihilated each other. Even the aftershocks alone could reduce Shinigami Officers to dust.

They fled in panic, knowing that to be caught in this clash meant certain obliteration.

It was as if doomsday had arrived.

Then the deep purple flames crushed and consumed their crimson counterparts, descending before Tokinada.

Whoosh—

A pillar of fire erupted, instantly engulfing him!

⤫⤬⤫

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