Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 273 ⥤ Ambition Rises Again

Though the answer was bizarre, it somehow perfectly matched the Captain's character.

Aizen fell silent for a moment, then sighed helplessly, "Remember the information about the Soul King we learned from the Daireishokairō?

In the primordial era, the Soul King destroyed the Hollows and restarted the cycle of Reishi, then the Five Founding Ancestors used his power to separate the Sangai. Afterward, fearing his power, they dismembered him — removing his limbs and organs — and sealed him in the Soul King Palace.

But according to the records, the Soul King was truly an omniscient and omnipotent being. How could mere Five Founding Ancestors be his match? Therefore, I suspect this was all voluntary on the Soul King's part.

To maintain the stability of the Sangai and keep the cycle of Reishi flowing normally, he willingly allowed himself to be sealed in what's called 'the spiral of contradiction, living while dead.' He became the linchpin that holds up the Three Realms."

Akira's eyes lit up with sudden understanding, "I see now — the Soul King loves no one, not even his son! But he loves the entire world!"

What kind of insight was this?!

Akira had grasped the Soul King's thoughts, and for his adopted son to analyze the whole situation from just a few words — as expected of someone whose wisdom was second only to his own.

Hearing his words, Aizen paused. Though simple, it perfectly captured the essence of the Soul King's thoughts.

"The reason he doesn't care about Yhwach." He continued, "Is because to the Soul King, Yhwach is merely a replacement to inherit his work. Perhaps it's because of Hell, or maybe the Soul King has grown weary of his million-year imprisonment. But Yhwach's fate was predetermined from the beginning."

From the Soul King's words, the answer seemed to favor the latter.

However, Aizen suspected that the reason It no longer wished to serve as the linchpin of the Sangai was because something more important demanded attention.

The only thing worth such a sacrifice would be Hell.

At this thought, Aizen's gaze toward Akira shifted subtly.

The mystery was solved. This guy might not be the Soul King's illegitimate son, but he was something even more significant than that.

"This means our previously established plans can proceed as scheduled." Akira raised his eyebrows, "Not only will the Soul King not stop us, but he'll actually help push the plan forward."

Aizen nodded slightly and spoke calmly, "The biggest issue now is the unexpected problems that might arise during the plan's execution. Besides being wary of Yhwach, we need to consider the other Quincy. As for the Shinigami besides the 11th Division..."

He shook his head without finishing, but his meaning was clear.

Hearing this, Akira crossed his arms and showed a smug smile.

"What's so difficult about that?! If the others are weak, we'll just replace them! The weak have no say in my domain!"

Aizen fell silent.

This husky, despite his seemingly simple nature, had an uncanny ability to identify core issues and resolve them with direct, effective solutions.

But would the Captain-Commander accept such an approach?

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

After Akira's private audience with the Soul King, the other Zero Division members regarded him with newfound respect.

In living memory, only Ichibē had ever spoken with the Soul King for such duration. Akira's addition to this exclusive list carried unsettling implications.

Rather than return immediately to Soul Society, Aizen's group decided to extend their stay at the Soul King Palace.

The palace boasted an exceptionally high Reishi density, and with the Zero Division members and Divine Soldiers inhabiting its various halls, no other place in the Sangai offered better training conditions.

It presented the perfect chance to strengthen everyone before the looming Race War.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

"Nozarashi." Ichibē stroked his beard solemnly, "Indeed, that is Captain Zaraki's Zanpakutō. Though I may seem unreliable, my powers are considerable. The Soul King named me 'Manako Oshō'—the Monk Who Calls the Real Name — or simply the True Name Monk. I gave the names 'Zanpakutō,' 'Shikai,' and 'Bankai.' Every phenomenon in Soul Society received its name from me! I named all Zanpakutō too. The moment Nimaiya forges an Asauchi and gives it to a Shinigami, I know its true name."

To demonstrate, the monk gestured at each person's Zanpakutō, naming them one by one.

"Ah, and one more thing." Ichibē clapped his fan-like hands with a grin, "Captain Zaraki, you've noticed it too, haven't you? The connection between Nozarashi and Yachiru Kusajishi. I'll tell you plainly — your suspicions are correct. She is a manifestation of Nozarashi's partial power."

Zaraki let out a scornful tsk, clearly annoyed that the monk had revealed his secret before everyone, especially Akira.

Akira raised his hand, "Master Monk, I have a question."

Ichibē's gaze settled on him, signaling him to proceed.

"If Yachiru is part of Nozarashi, will she vanish when Zaraki masters Shikai or Bankai?"

He recalled this clearly from the original story — when Zaraki released his Zanpakutō, Yachiru disappeared forever.

He had grown fond of the 11th Division's quirky mascot. Her disappearance would be unfortunate.

The monk paused briefly before nodding, "That would happen, yes. However, after Zaraki masters Nozarashi's release, he will still be able to see Yachiru Kusajishi — similar to Captain Kyōraku's situation."

Everyone's expressions registered surprise.

Such profound knowledge was fitting for the Zero Division's leader, a being who had lived for a millennium.

Zaraki remained quiet, head bowed, contemplating the serrated blade in his hand.

Akira frowned, "Is there no other solution?"

The monk laughed, "Each to their own specialty — I'm merely a monk of names. For such matters, you should consult the swordsmith."

Akira's eyes brightened.

Of course — he had nearly forgotten about Ōetsu.

Since Ōetsu was still helping build the Zero Division Riden, this was the perfect opportunity to have him help solve Zaraki's Zanpakutō issue as well.

After sending the madman off to find Ōetsu, the others turned their eager gazes toward Ichibē.

Since this great monk knew the names of all Zanpakutō, surely he must know their Bankai names too?

"Lord Hyōsube." Kaname took the initiative, drawing his Zanpakutō from its sheath. A cold gleam reflected off his anticipation-filled face, making his smile appear almost unsettling.

"If you would be so kind."

"Mine too!"

"Please!"

Ichibē responded kindly, his large hands accepting everyone's Zanpakutō as he began explaining them one by one.

Knowing the name was one thing, mastering Bankai was another. However, after years of training, combined with their intense training in the Soul King Palace, most of the 11th Division's Seated Officers had reached the level required to master Bankai.

Next came time to deploy their ultimate workhorse. When Akira's gaze swept around like a hawk's, Kisuke's face turned pale.

Just as he tried to sneak away, a large hand clapped onto his shoulder, and a ferocious face peered out beside him:

"Kisuke, where do you think you're going?"

Looking at the terrifying smile so close to him, the man suddenly understood how the Soul King must feel.

But unlike the Soul King who could find a successor, he would be exploited by Akira for life. Just thinking about that bleak future filled Kisuke with despair.

"How did it come to this, how did it come to this!"

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

In the half-finished Zero Division Riden, on the empty grounds.

Everyone gathered there, intently watching two figures in front.

Akira held a stack of humanoid wooden boards, while beside him stood Kisuke, exhausted to the point where his eyes had darkened and his face had gone pale. Despite his remarkable intelligence and unparalleled scientific abilities, he had been worked to complete exhaustion by a certain someone, without an ounce of energy left.

Who would have thought there'd be materials to make Tenshintai in the Soul King Palace!

To make enough Tenshintai, Kisuke hadn't slept for three days and nights, nearly ready to meet the Soul King himself.

"I'll keep this brief." Akira said, holding up the Tenshintai, "These are tools that will help you master Bankai. Let's begin!"

Gin stepped forward first, smiling as he took a Tenshintai from Akira. Without a word, he immediately pierced it with his Zanpakutō.

In a burst of brilliant silver light, a squinting youth appeared, then immediately drew his sword and attacked — the fierce offensive seemingly intent on ending Gin's life.

"This seems different from when I used the Tenshintai." Akira frowned, "Kisuke, what do you think?"

Kisuke glanced at him, responding weakly, "The Reishi density in the Soul King Palace is too high, bringing out the Tenshintai's full effect. The materialized Zanpakutō are stronger than they would be in Soul Society. However, if you can defeat them, the mastered Bankai will be stronger too."

As the two conversed, Gin had already released his Zanpakutō, his cold voice echoing across the battlefield:

"Shoot to kill..."

⤫ Shikai: Shinsō ⥤ Initial Release: God Spear! ⤬

Before he could finish the release command, a silver flash tore through the heavy air, piercing through the materialized Shinsō's chest.

The 11th Division Seated Officers had clearly been influenced by someone's example. Their attitude toward their Zanpakutō had taken a peculiar turn, racing down an unconventional path.

They would even mutter things like "A Zanpakutō isn't meant to be so inconvenient".

This mindset led to particularly brutal battles.

Gin employed a ruthless trading-wounds strategy, deliberately enduring Shinsō's attacks. After sacrificing an arm and part of a leg, he cut down his opponent with one swift flash of his blade.

Afterward, he was promptly sent to the Kirinden.

Following Gin's example, the others' battles with their materialized Zanpakutō proceeded smoothly. After all, with their Captain watching over them, death wasn't possible.

How could mere pain deter their absolute devotion to their Captain?!

Kisuke surveyed the hellish battlefield with another wave of melancholy.

Alas, there were no normal people left in the 11th Division.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Ten days later.

The Zero Division Riden was complete, its style a perfect replica of the 11th Division's barracks under Kisuke and Mayuri's guidance.

Akira stood on the lawn, observing the powerful auras emanating from everyone before him, his heart swelling with grand ambition.

Except for Zaraki, everyone had mastered Bankai. Even Ikkaku's Zanpakutō had been strengthened by Nimaiya Oetsu, no longer breaking as easily as in the original story.

Now with his forces strong, it was time to raise the banner of rebellion and overthrow the Captain-Commander's tyranny!

How could there be a crown prince for forty years?

Once they returned to Soul Society, they would overturn the heavenly array and bring a new dawn to the Seireitei!

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

In the 1st Division barracks, Genryūsai's expression flickered between light and shadow as his eyes fixed on Chōjirō before him, absorbing the confidential intelligence he had just received.

"Hiss— Could such good fortune really exist?!"

⤫⤬⤫

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