Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 276 ⥤ The Gotei 13? Nothing But Paper Tigers!

'Young man, return to challenge me after a few years of training.'

But at that moment, crystal-like light bloomed around them, enveloping the entire combat platform.

A massive lotus materialized gradually, with Yumichika standing at its center, watching the dumbfounded Rose with elegant poise.

"You..." Rōjūrō gasped, "You broke free from Kinshara's influence?!"

Yumichika nodded with a smile, "Mere luck, really. Crystal Lotus needs time to activate, and coincidentally, Kinshara's illusions also required time to defeat me. Against Captain Muguruma, the outcome might have been different."

Rōjūrō frowned deeply, still baffled by how his art had been broken.

Following his Captain's teachings, Yumichika felt no need to explain. With a simple nod, he prepared to end the battle.

The ground rumbled, and before Rōjūrō's shocked gaze, the solid combat platform transformed into towering layers of stacked metal waves, reaching a hundred meters high.

Then, in an exaggerated display, it came crashing down toward his position.

Just as Rōjūrō attempted to use Shunpo, he found his feet had already sunk into a metallic quagmire, making escape impossible. He could only watch in despair as the wave crashed down, burying him completely.

When Yumichika sensed Rōjūrō's Reiatsu fade, he immediately commanded the metal floor to bring his opponent up from underground.

The combination of complete suffocation and crushing pressure had, unsurprisingly, rendered Rōjūrō unconscious.

"Phew, it's over." Yumichika smiled faintly, nodding to Chōjirō beyond the Kidō barrier.

After he announced the challenge's end, a bewildered silence fell over the combat platform. Spectators exchanged confused glances.

While Rōjūrō's Zanpakutō ability was common knowledge — thanks to his loose lips — Yumichika's display left everyone mystified.

Was it metal manipulation? Or perhaps another illusion-type Zanpakutō?

The onlookers stared at the restored combat platform, their expressions dazed.

"Did you understand what happened?" Shunsui nudged Akira's arm.

Akira snorted and shot him a disdainful smile, "As Soul Society's foremost intellect, of course I understood. What, you didn't?"

Shunsui: "?"

To be mocked by this brat for lacking intelligence — what an insult!

If only he could defeat this brute, he'd draw his invincible Katen Kyōkotsu and slice him into eighteen pieces!

Nearby, Genryūsai had intended to ask someone about Yumichika's Zanpakutō ability, but after witnessing this exchange between master and disciple, he quickly abandoned the idea.

Being unable to defeat his wayward disciple was one thing, but being mocked for lacking intelligence would be truly humiliating.

In truth, Akira hadn't understood either. However, he possessed a special advantage — the exclusive Trait: Reishi Affinity.

Through his vision, when Yumichika released his Bankai, all Reishi within his Reiatsu range — including that released by Rōjūrō — became marked with his signature.

What followed was straightforward — he erased the illusion effects.

As is widely known, everything in Soul Society consists of Reishi, including the specially crafted combat platform. He then manipulated the alloy to entrap Rōjūrō.

From Akira's perspective, Yumichika's Bankai granted absolute control over Reishi within his Reiatsu range!

It resembled a Quincy's Vollständig, or Sōya's Urozakuro.

In some ways, it was even more dominant. Given the overwhelming power of his Shikai, such an extraordinary Bankai seemed reasonable.

While speculation buzzed through the crowd, Chōjirō remained atop the combat platform.

He exchanged glances with Genryūsai on the distant platform, and the old man nodded.

Seeing this, Chōjirō's expression turned helpless — they were truly pushing boundaries now.

"Eleventh Division Ninth Seat Senna Shizuku challenges — Fifth Division Captain, Shinji Hirako."

The announcement sent shockwaves through the venue.

The Shinigami officers gaped at Chōjirō in disbelief, and realizing he was serious, began searching the crowd for this challenger named Senna Shizuku.

Unlike the two Captains who had fallen before, Fifth Division Captain Shinji Hirako was a veteran in the truest sense, having held the position for nearly a hundred years.

Challenging such a powerful opponent — was there something wrong with her life that needed sorting out?

Even Genryūsai couldn't help but ask, "Boy, are you really sure Shizuku can defeat Captain Hirako?"

"Absolutely certain." Akira grinned, "While Senna might not be a match for other Captains, Hirako definitely can't beat her. My Senna is specifically designed to counter him!"

Genryūsai looked suspicious, not understanding the source of this confidence.

On the combat platform, two figures faced each other.

Shinji scratched his head, asking in confusion, "Did that guy take the wrong medicine? Why would he send you to compete for the Captain position?"

Senna, who had been smiling until then, suddenly darkened her expression and glared at the blonde before her.

"You can call me weak, but I won't allow you to insult Captain Kisaragi!"

"Call forth the Twilight..."

⤫ Shikai: Mirokumaru ⥤ Initial Release: Maitreya Circle! ⤬

Her Reiatsu surged as her Zanpakutō transformed into a golden Buddhist staff, which she wielded with impressive force as she charged at Shinji.

The battle erupted instantly, with countless clashes occurring in the blink of an eye.

This battle differed from the previous ones. Now, there were no flashy light effects or energy impacts spreading across the combat platform — only surging Reiatsu and exquisite combat techniques.

As soon as they crossed blades, Shinji cast aside his contempt. Though his opponent appeared weak, her attacks were powerful and heavy, her Reiatsu emanating subtle, strange sensations.

Despite his stronger Reiatsu, he couldn't suppress her. More puzzling still was how such a young girl possessed such superb combat skills — she could even turn the tables and suppress him instead. It was incomprehensible.

Finding himself frequently at a disadvantage, Shinji released his Zanpakutō.

"Collapse..."

⤫ Shikai: Sakanade ⥤ Initial Release: Counter Stroke! ⤬

A faint fragrance wafted from the blade, instantly rushing into Senna's nostrils. However, the expected scene didn't appear — the girl only staggered slightly before charging at him again. The monk's staff whirled through the air, wrapped in strange Reiatsu, directly suppressing Shinji.

Up on the high platform, Genryūsai's brows furrowed tightly.

Strange, too strange. He knew Captain Hirako's Zanpakutō ability, having experienced it personally. Even he couldn't completely resist Sakanade's effects.

But how did this girl on the combat platform manage it? Could it be her Zanpakutō's ability?

"Senna is a prayer bead that gained sentience." Akira explained, seeing the old man's confusion and worried he might act rashly out of frustration, "Her soul comprises memory fragments from countless souls in debt. At first, she was affected by these memories, but under my guidance, she took their essence and discarded the dregs, turning them all into instinct. Operations like reversing her own senses are nothing but child's play for Senna."

Genryūsai suddenly understood.

One person's abilities are limited, but when countless people's abilities combine, unimaginable transformations can occur. Senna was a prime example.

No wonder Akira was so confident. As a Shinigami, when Shinji's greatest weapon — his Zanpakutō — had no effect, the scales of victory naturally wouldn't tilt in his favor.

Fortunately, Shinji wasn't mindless. Realizing his Zanpakutō ability was ineffective, he immediately switched to fighting with Kidō.

Dazzling spells appeared one after another — brilliant golden lightning, radiant azure flames, scorching crimson blazes...

Facing these complex Kidō attacks, Senna used just one move.

⤫ Mirokumaru: Kaze Yobidasu ⥤ Maitreya Circle: Wind Call! ⤬

A howling tornado rose from the ground, swallowing all the Kidō spells. The violent power within erupted, annihilating most of the attacks.

Finally, with his Reiatsu exhausted, Shinji had no choice but to concede defeat.

As Chōjirō made the announcement, the final Captain Qualification Test came to an end.

The expected cheers didn't come — the venue fell silent. The day's events were too fantastical for anyone to process.

Yet one thing was clear: with these new Captains taking office, the old era had turned its page. The Gotei 13 would enter a new age led by the 11th Division!

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Three days later, at the Captain inauguration ceremony.

Kaname Tōsen, Gin Ichimaru, and Yumichika Ayasegawa donned their fitted Captain's haori, smiling as they accepted their commission from Genryūsai.

Senna chose not to take the position of 5th Division Captain. In her words, she still had many shortcomings and couldn't shoulder a Captain's responsibilities.

Though Captain Hirako might be frivolous and lazy, he was still qualified. When she became stronger, she would challenge him again for the position.

Upon learning this, Shinji wasn't happy — instead, he looked quite dejected. He had hoped to step back to an easier position, but in the end, he'd just gotten beaten up for nothing.

After the inauguration ceremony, Genryūsai kept Akira behind. His aged eyes stared intently at him until the man began feeling uneasy, then finally spoke:

"Boy, haven't you forgotten something?"

Hearing this, Akira furrowed his brows in deep thought, then looked up at the old man and said firmly:

"No."

"You fool!" Genryūsai erupted in anger, "Didn't you proclaim in the barracks that you would rebel against heaven and overthrow authority? How dare you forget that now?!"

Akira was taken aback, then replied without thinking, "Well, these past few days I've watched you running around like a top, without even time for tea or a sweet potato. If being Captain-Commander means working like a mule, then perhaps this rebellion isn't worth it after all."

Genryūsai: "?"

What kind of absurd logic is this?!

You insolent brat, I'll teach you a lesson today!

"Reduce All Creation to Ash..."

Scorching Reiatsu erupted from the barracks, shooting skyward and turning the azure sky crimson.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

In a conference room dominated by cool colors.

Pale blue flames flickered slowly on the lamp pillars, casting a gloomy atmosphere.

Seated on the throne, Yhwach gazed intently at the conference table below, where members of the Sternritter were gathered. This was his first imperial meeting since awakening.

Looking at the knights below, he felt restless, his desire for Auswählen rising.

But he knew well that the time for the final selection had not yet come. He still needed these Knights' power to defeat Soul Society and cut down their old enemies with their Quincy crosses.

That could wait until they faced truly insurmountable challenges.

"War is imminent. What intelligence have you gathered about Soul Society?" His blood-red eyes swept across everyone below as his deep voice filled the spacious room.

As soon as Yhwach finished speaking, someone at the conference table raised their hand.

"Hashirama." He tapped the armrest, signaling for that person to speak.

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Akira stood up and cleared his throat lightly, immediately drawing everyone's attention.

"Even while Your Majesty slept, I personally infiltrated Soul Society and the Seireitei to gather intelligence. Through my dedicated efforts, I've obtained crucial information that could determine the outcome of the war!"

Hearing this, Yhwach's expression grew more serious.

As expected of his Schutzstaffel Captain — though he seemed somewhat unreliable on the surface, his practical abilities were truly reassuring.

"The Gotei 13? Nothing but a bunch of weaklings." Akira's voice echoed through the room, "They're not worth mentioning. What we should focus on are several special existences, which I call... Special War Powers!"

⤫⤬⤫

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