Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 272 ⥤ The Million-Year Corporate Slave’s Grudge

While he pondered this, Ichibē, who stood close to the crystal, seemed to receive some kind of message and bowed respectfully.

"As you command, Soul King."

After saying this, he turned and walked toward Akira, speaking earnestly:

"The Soul King has some matters to discuss with you privately. I will be standing guard outside the Inner Palace. Do not do anything rebellious, or I will make you pay the price even if it costs me my life."

Looking at the monk's serious expression, Akira nodded.

Seeing this, Ichibē returned to his usual gentle smile, patted his shoulder, and left the room. However, one could still feel the powerful Reiatsu lingering outside.

Inside the room, Akira and the Soul King stared at each other. Perhaps because he had fewer pupils than the other, he felt some pressure.

After thinking for a moment, he reached into his pocket, fumbled around, and pulled out two steaming roasted sweet potatoes.

He offered one to the Soul King, suggesting, "Want one?"

The vast room suddenly fell into dead silence. The Soul King's eight pupils rotated slightly — even Its complete version of omniscience hadn't predicted this scene.

Just as Akira was starting to feel uneasy, the sweet potato in his hand suddenly decomposed into countless Reishi and vanished instantly.

The particles gathered within the crystal, reforming into a complete sweet potato. To Akira's utter amazement, the Soul King actually divided and consumed the sweet potato completely!

Then a chaotic, disordered voice rang out, reaching his ears with perfect clarity.

"The taste is acceptable."

Akira stared at the Soul King in the crystal, shocked. He had only offered the sweet potato out of politeness, yet received such high praise.

Could Yama-jii's roasted sweet potatoes be the ultimate weapon of the Sangai — a true divine treasure against the Soul King?!

Considering Mimihagi and Pernida's reactions to the sweet potatoes, this possibility seemed increasingly likely.

So it turned out the old man's greatest strength wasn't Ryūjin Jakka, but his unparalleled sweet potato roasting technique!

Hmm, makes sense.

"Now that we've sampled the sweet potato, let's discuss the real matter at hand."

All eight pupils rotated in unison, fixing intently on Akira.

Unlike before, the chaotic and disordered voice had transformed into the normal language of Soul Society — friendly, gentle, and steady.

It was like talking to Genryūsai in his calm state.

"You must be curious about why I wanted to meet with you?" The Soul King's voice echoed through the empty room, though no visible manifestation appeared.

Akira shook his head, "Not curious."

Soul King: "?"

Though he knew little about the Soul King, his world-class wisdom let him guess Its purpose.

As the great being who created and maintained the stability of the Sangai, the Soul King's omniscience far surpassed Yhwach's. It would likely have seen through his identity as a transmigrator.

Akira had anticipated this before coming.

The purpose surely related to Yhwach. The development of the Sangai had been thrown into chaos, and as their maintainer, the Soul King would want to restore proper order.

While Akira pondered this, the Soul King observed his expression, Its eight pupils rotating slowly, making minute adjustments.

The subtle changes in Its pupil positions were nearly imperceptible.

Unknown, unknown, unknown...

Unlike with others, Its omniscience couldn't penetrate the past and future of the person before It. Only a thick fog shrouded Akira.

This was precisely why It had sent Its right hand, Mimihagi, to interact with him — to analyze everything about this Soul.

However, during their interaction, the Soul King discovered this being was quite different from others in the Sangai, both in individual nature and unique way of thinking.

In short, he was interesting. Like fresh water poured into a stagnant lake.

Akira's existence made the future become unclear.

This change reminded It of a million years ago, before the Sangai were separated.

When Hollows began devouring humans and the cycle was interrupted, if It hadn't appeared and used Quincy powers to end the Hollows, all souls would have eventually become one massive Hollow, and the world would have fallen into complete stasis.

The Soul King's appearance prevented the world from becoming static.

So did Akira's appearance hold similar significance?

"Actually, I invited you here..."

The Soul King spoke again, but before It could finish, Akira raised his hand to interrupt.

"No need to say more, Yhwach and I cannot coexist!" He wore a determined expression, "It's either him or me. One of us must die!"

A thousand years ago, when Yhwach launched the war between races, he was nearly killed by Genryūsai. To revive, he had to enter a nine-hundred-year slumber.

With such hatred, Yhwach naturally wouldn't spare his old master.

Though the old man was always scolding and hitting him, he was tough on the outside but gentle on the inside, his harsh demeanor merely a front.

How could he stand by and watch a caring elder be killed by his enemy?

Moreover, Yhwach's original goal was to destroy the Sangai and create a new world without fear.

As an agent of justice, how could he allow such an unjust thing to happen?

So there was nothing to discuss!

A slight curve appeared on the Soul King's face, as if smiling.

For some reason, Akira suddenly felt this being's expression resembled Aizen's — it had that same infuriatingly punchable quality.

"I think you've misunderstood something." The calm voice spoke again as the Soul King looked at the young man before him intently, "This invitation has nothing to do with Yhwach."

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Akira's expression froze, "Then what's it about?"

Didn't Yhwach claim to be the Soul King's son? Here he was, ready to kill him, yet this father figure didn't seem to care at all. Could he be some illegitimate child, hidden away from sight?

"Of course it's about..." The pupils slowly rotated as the Soul King's voice grew heavier, "Hell."

Ignoring Akira's change in expression, It recounted the history from countless years ago.

The long discourse made the husky drowsy.

In the end, it all boiled down to one point: the threat to the world wasn't Yhwach, but Hell that existed outside the Sangai.

Akira furrowed his brows.

What did this have to do with him? If even the Soul King couldn't solve this problem, how could he?

As everyone knew, the method of decomposing Captain-class Reishi used in the Konsō Reisai also originated from the Soul King. Though it seemed effective, it was merely treating the symptoms rather than the root cause.

"It's fine if you don't understand." The Soul King's lips curved into a smile, "You can just memorize everything I said and repeat it to Aizen. I'm sure he'll answer your questions."

Hearing this, Akira's furrowed brows relaxed.

He should have said so earlier — Aizen, who had inherited Its brilliant wisdom, would surely be able to analyze Its schemes.

"By the way, what about Yhwach?" He looked up and asked.

As soon as he spoke, all eight pupils stared directly at him. When he was starting to feel uncomfortable, the Soul King's voice finally continued:

"Can you understand the pain of working without a single day off for a million years?"

Akira: "?"

Though he didn't quite understand what the Soul King was saying, it sounded quite miserable.

No days off for a million years. Just hearing these words gave one a deep sense of despair.

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When Ichibē saw Akira emerge unharmed from the room, he was visibly stunned. He stroked his large beard, surprise showing on his face.

It seemed things weren't quite as he had expected?

Unable to figure it out, the monk went to greet him, displaying a kind smile.

"Akira, what did the Soul King discuss with you?"

Akira gave him a penetrating look, smiled meaningfully, and uttered a single word:

"Secret."

Ichibē: "..."

An ominous feeling crept over him. Could their conversation have involved him somehow?

Remembering the Soul King's supreme power from a million years ago, the monk shuddered involuntarily.

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At Kirinden (Qilin Palace), in Tenjirō Kirinji's City.

On the vast plaza, two figures clashed in streams of light, their intense combat surrounded by heavy Reiatsu that burst with brilliant sparks.

"Haha, what a thrill!" Zaraki laughed ferociously, his serrated blade swinging wildly as golden Reiatsu blazed around his body like flames.

The last time he'd experienced such an exhilarating fight was when Akira had beaten him. Unfortunately, his Captain had been preoccupied lately and rarely visited the 11th Division.

Still, the Captain hadn't forgotten him — though he didn't fight personally, finding such a powerful opponent for Zaraki was thoughtful enough. Zaraki swore he would never forget this kindness.

Tenjirō grinned, his Zanpakutō gleaming like a miniature sun, freely releasing its golden radiance.

Though he didn't know where Akira had discovered this monster, the fighter was exactly to his taste. He needed only to suppress part of his Reiatsu to make it a fair match.

As the terrifying force transmitted through his blade, a long-forgotten sense of enjoyment and anticipation welled up in his heart.

This was what a real battle should be!

Tenjirō wielded Kinpika as water surged along the blade.

"Enjoy your outdoor hot spring sunbath!"

A massive water sphere shot forth, engulfing Zaraki completely.

Their battle reached a white-hot intensity.

Similar scenes played out across Kirinden.

However, the others weren't as extraordinary as Zaraki — the Reishi density in the Soul King Palace was so high that they exhausted their energy just maintaining their battle stances.

Yet as they adapted to the palace's pressure, they grew steadily stronger.

For the battle-loving 11th Division, this place was nothing short of heaven. When someone fell with serious wounds, the Divine Soldiers standing guard would simply throw them into Tenjirō's Hell Hot Spring.

Their injuries would heal almost instantly, allowing them to jump right back into battle.

As this cycle continued, Sajin noticed himself growing stronger by the minute. The others experienced similar growth.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Meanwhile, Aizen and Kisuke found a quiet spot to discuss the Soul King's intentions and contingency plans should a certain someone not return.

"Why don't we just cut down that Soul King?" Kisuke scratched his head, speaking with casual rebelliousness.

Aizen's face darkened.

This guy had clearly spent too much time with Akira — he'd been thoroughly corrupted into unreliability.

"You're being rather extreme." Mayuri said, his mouth twitching as his paint-covered face revealed a sinister smile, "According to Mr. Aizen's information, the Soul King maintains the Sangai's stability. If he means harm to Lord Magistrate, we can simply apply the appropriate remedy. For instance, completely opening the passage between the Sangai and Hell..."

Kisuke: "..."

Which one of us is more extreme?

As the three discussed, a familiar voice cut in:

"What, talking about me?"

Akira squeezed into their circle without ceremony, settling down cross-legged.

Seeing him still as unpredictable and eccentric as ever, the three collectively sighed with relief. Whatever the case, it was good to have him back.

"Captain, what did the Soul King summon you for?" Kisuke asked, voicing the question on everyone's mind.

Hearing this, Akira grinned.

"The Soul King recognized that I'm both wise and brave, a rare talent in the Sangai, and plans to make me the next Soul King candidate to rule after him!"

The three external brains: "?"

⤫⤬⤫

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