Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 274 ⥤ Damn, My Gold Coins Got Snatched

"Captain Kisaragi, your turn." Isshin gave him a gentle nudge.

Akira shook himself awake, cleared his throat, and solemnly recited Kisuke's prepared script:

"The Eleventh Division's training has yielded outstanding results — all senior Seated Officers, including the Lieutenant, have mastered Bankai..."

"???"

The other Captains gaped at him, their faces frozen in disbelief.

Everyone knew that among thousands of Shinigami in any era, those who achieved Bankai could be counted on one hand. Achieving Bankai immortalized a Shinigami's name in Soul Society's chronicles, earning eternal reverence.

Mastering Bankai was also a prerequisite for becoming a Captain — though the Eleventh Division had always been an exception.

Since Captain Gosuke's time, this rule had been broken. When Akira took command, he hadn't even mastered Shikai, much less Bankai.

Initial doubts about him had dissolved as his reputation in Soul Society grew ever more impressive.

Now, this legendary Captain had accomplished the impossible — every Senior Seated Officer mastering Bankai. In the Gotei 13's thousand-year history, this was unprecedented.

This achievement surpassed even the Captain-Commander!

The Captains' gazes turned complex as they regarded Akira. Even Genryūsai, despite having prior intelligence, couldn't hide his shock at hearing it confirmed.

With universal Bankai mastery, the 11th Division alone matched the entire Gotei 13's power. This kid could establish his own Gotei 13 without breaking a sweat.

Still reeling, Genryūsai pondered a delicate question: if his unruly disciple turned against him, should he resist?

Not resisting might seem too submissive — but fighting back might drive the boy away entirely. What a predicament!

While he was struggling with this dilemma. Isshin finally came to his senses, his face full of melancholy.

He knew that when Akira took the Senior Seated Officers of his Division to the Soul King's Palace for special training, they returned transformed. In just a few days, they were bursting with energy — not only had that brute Zaraki mastered Bankai, but even the 10th Seat Ikkaku Madarame had achieved it.

How could he, the Captain of the 10th Division who hadn't fully mastered Bankai yet, face such a reality? Isshin deeply regretted accepting the Captain position.

Perhaps it wasn't too late to resign and apply to join the 11th Division?

Watching Akira lounging in a chair he'd somehow acquired, eyes closed and completely at ease, Isshin's heart filled with envy.

Damn, how he wished he could take Akira's place!

Gritting his teeth, he began reporting the 10th Division's work while the other Captains watched disinterestedly.

After all work reports concluded and Genryūsai's brief summary, an elderly figure stepped forward from the line and bowed slightly.

"Captain-Commander Genryūsai, I request to step down as Captain of the Sixth Division."

Everyone's attention snapped back to the proceedings.

Ginrei Kuchiki stood firm as he explained his reasons — age and frailty had made it difficult to maintain the 6th Division's operations and handle official duties.

Like Genryūsai, Ginrei had fought in the Quincy war, but even then his strength had paled in comparison to the original Gotei 13 Captains, let alone the legendary Sword Demon Shigekuni Yamamoto.

Even now, Ginrei's power barely exceeded that of a certain 9th Division Captain. With a major battle looming, he felt unable to shoulder the burden of war and chose to step aside.

This "transfer" was merely a polite fiction — after all, Soul Society's regulations had no provision for Gotei 13 Shinigami to retire.

Genryūsai wasn't surprised, as Ginrei had forewarned him before the council convened.

The Gotei 13 was strong enough to function without one Captain, but finding a suitable replacement gave Genryūsai a headache.

Logically, Sōjun Kuchiki should succeed his father, but his natural frailty and limited combat abilities — having only mastered Shikai — made him an awkward choice for Captain.

"Captain Kuchiki, do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?" Genryūsai asked wearily.

The 6th Division was a noble division with a special status; otherwise, he could just assign any Shinigami to fill the position.

Ginrei nodded and smiled, "I didn't have anyone in mind before, but now I do."

Akira, who had been dozing off, suddenly snapped to attention.

"Captain Kisaragi's Eleventh Division is now extraordinarily powerful — why not transfer someone from there?"

Genryūsai frowned, "But what about the noble families..."

Ginrei's smile remained steady, "No worries, I will handle it."

Hearing this, Genryūsai relaxed. This Captain Kuchiki certainly had his ways — otherwise, he wouldn't have survived this long. After all, the feuds among nobles were far more vicious than any conflicts within the Gotei 13.

Genryūsai nodded, "If that's the case, then let's transfer someone from the Eleventh Division."

Akira: "?"

These two old geezers hadn't even asked for his opinion as Captain, and here they were, casually poaching his people!

Who's snatching whose gold coins here?

"Captain Kisaragi." Genryūsai cleared his throat, "Do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"

Akira stroked his chin thoughtfully, "Zaraki?"

Genryūsai: "?"

The old man's gaze turned sharp.

"Want me to replace you?" He threatened, "Does Soul Society really need two Eleventh Divisions?"

Thanks to his unruly disciple, he frequently inspected the 11th Division and knew their personnel well.

If they had to pick an officer who most resembled their Captain, Kenpachi Zaraki would be the obvious choice — his style was pure brute force.

Put someone like that in the 6th Division, and they'd end up before the Central Underground Assembly Hall within a day, courtesy of some noble's wounded pride. If Akira dared to confront the Five Noble Houses, Zaraki certainly wouldn't hesitate either.

Besides, such a person would bring nothing positive to the 6th Division. They needed someone with a brain.

After Genryūsai's rejection, Akira pondered deeply. If someone as strong as Zaraki was rejected, who else would work? Kisuke?

No, that wouldn't do — he still needed that workhorse to handle administrative duties in the 11th Division.

Well then...

He grinned at the old man, "I recommend Eleventh Division's Sixth Seat, Kaname Tōsen."

The Captains frowned at this name, having little impression of him.

Unlike Zaraki and others who frequently went on missions, Kaname hadn't made many notable achievements while handling internal affairs. The last they'd heard of him was during the Reigai incident, where he'd helped 7th Division Captain Sajin Komamura take down several Reigai Captains.

Genryūsai's brows furrowed deeper.

He certainly knew of Kaname — the man had joined under Akira's command solely because this youth had slain the Tsunayashiki remnants, specifically Tokinada Tsunayashiki.

According to the 2nd Division's intelligence, Kaname harbored a deep grudge against that killer.

Akira explained, "Kaname has excellent talent, mastered Shikai long ago, and through diligent training, has now achieved Bankai. Moreover, he handles various internal affairs daily and excels at dealing with unexpected situations. With such experience, he's certain to become a qualified Captain!"

Shunsui took a deep breath, his expression turning wistful.

Compared to his junior disciple, he still had much to learn. While he was still exploiting his Lieutenant, this guy had already begun developing his lower-ranked Officers.

Hearing this, Genryūsai no longer objected.

He had met Kaname, a quiet man. Even if influenced by his wayward disciple, such a person shouldn't become too extreme.

At least, he'd be better than Zaraki, right?

With this thought, he nodded, "In that case, let's tentatively approve Sixth Seat Tōsen. Three days from now, we'll hold a Captain Qualification Test, with Captain Komamura as the examiner."

Sajin's canine mouth spread into a gentle smile, "Yes, Captain-Commander."

Beside him, Kensei breathed a sigh of relief.

"Is there anything else to report?" Genryūsai's gaze swept around as his voice rose slightly, "If not, then this Captains' Council will—"

"Wait!"

Seeing his wayward disciple raise his right hand in objection, a hint of pleasure flashed in the old man's eyes.

"Teacher, I have one more matter." Akira grinned, "Since the Sixth Division is changing Captains, it wouldn't be fair to show favoritism. Besides, with threats looming, the Gotei 13 could use some fresh blood to face the coming crisis."

The Captains all looked at him with strange expressions.

What was this guy planning now? Was he really planning to replace the Captain-Commander?

After some thought, it didn't seem that unacceptable. In some ways, Genryūsai and Akira were quite similar — as expected of master and disciple.

Most importantly, the Captain-Commander himself seemed unaware of this. After all, his angry shouts at Akira could often be heard from the 1st Division.

Strangely, after hearing these words, Genryūsai chose to remain silent and think.

After a moment, he looked at Akira and asked, "What do you plan to do?"

Someone chuckled, "Naturally, we'll follow the rules!"

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Three days later.

At the 11th Division's barracks, on the fighting platform.

A man and a wolf faced each other from a distance, both gathering their Reiatsu, heavy spiritual pressure surrounding their bodies.

"Kaname, I won't go easy on you because of your position." Sajin said deeply, "In this battle, please show your true strength. If you don't qualify, I won't let you leave the Eleventh Division."

Kaname smiled slightly and said with confidence, "Don't worry, Sajin. I'm terrifyingly strong now — you should be the one being careful."

Following 11th Division's customs, they exchanged pre-battle trash talk. Yet, being too familiar with each other, such provocation couldn't shake either's composure.

At Chōjirō's signal, the test began.

Without hesitation, Sajin released tremendous Reiatsu. A materialized pillar of light shot skyward, instantly dissipating the surrounding white clouds.

⤫ Bankai: Kokujō Tengen Myō'ō ⥤ Final Release: Vidyaraja of Kalasutra's Heavenly Punishment! ⤬

The spectators gasped.

No warm-up — straight to the ultimate move?

A hundred-meter-tall black-armored warrior emanated a terrifying aura, its crimson eyes fixed intently on Kaname below. The mere sight made weaker Shinigami from other divisions feel suffocated.

Could he really handle such a terrifying existence?

Kaname paid no attention to the black-armored warrior, focusing entirely on his opponent.

He had extensive experience dealing with Sajin. However, to meet his Captain's expectations, he would end this battle in the most spectacular way.

He drew his Zanpakutō and chanted softly:

⤫ Bankai: Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi ⥤ Final Release: Cricket Final Form: Yama Cricket! ⤬

Hum—

An equally terrifying Reiatsu erupted as a thick layer of purple light expanded outward from Kaname's center.

Since his journey to the Soul King's Palace, he had trained his Bankai to an even more powerful level. Without needing to release a barrier, any living being within his Reiatsu range would be deprived of their five senses.

However, Sajin didn't panic; as close friends, he knew Kaname's Zanpakutō Bankai ability well.

The best way to counter this fearsome ability was — All-angle bombardment!

⤫⤬⤫

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