"No way!?"
Rukia was so shocked she couldn't even form words. Her emotions twisted—relief, worry, and frustration all swirling together before settling into outright annoyance.
She slammed her hands on the windowsill, glaring.
"Aki, you idiot! Why the hell are you here!?"
Her voice trembled between anger and desperation.
"Didn't I tell you all not to do anything reckless for me?! Why throw away your own life—and your future!?"
Akira simply shrugged, a faint smirk on his lips.
"It's too late for that now."
Rukia pressed a hand to her temple, feeling a headache coming on.
"Aki… I'm grateful you came to save me. But I never wanted you to risk your life for it!"
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to stay calm.
"Go back and apologize to the Captain. You're a prodigy—you made Captain by a hundred! The Head Captain values talent; he'll forgive you if you—"
Akira cut her off with a sigh.
"I already told you," he said helplessly. "It's too late."
Rukia frowned. "…What do you mean?"
Akira's expression was unreadable as he spoke lightly.
"Because, Rukia—before coming here, I already fought my way through all of the Gotei 13."
"What!?"
Rukia felt her mind freeze.
"You… What are you saying…?"
She stared at him in disbelief, her thoughts scrambling to make sense of it.
This had to be a joke. Aki wasn't making sense!
But then, images from the past few days flashed through her mind—things she had heard, the lingering pressure of Reiatsu in the air…
"No… Don't say such ridiculous things!" She shook her head, refusing to believe it. "I don't need your help!"
Rukia shouted instinctively, but deep down, something whispered to her—this might be real.
Even so, her rational mind couldn't accept it.
"You just don't get it, do you?"
Akira's voice was suddenly firm, filled with unwavering determination.
"I told you—if I say I'll save you, then I will save you."
"You…!"
Rukia gritted her teeth, torn between anger and something else she couldn't name.
Akira simply turned his head, pretending not to hear her.
"Ah? What was that? Can't hear you~"
As he spoke, a holy sword of light materialized in his hand, shining brilliantly.
"So, let's get you out of here first."
Rukia's eyes widened.
"Wait—what are you planning—"
Before she could finish, she saw the entire Senzaikyū (Penitence Tower) begin to glow.
Countless shimmering lights gathered around it, condensing rapidly, and an overwhelming wave of Reiatsu erupted into the air.
"STOP HIM!!"
Through the rush of energy, Rukia swore she heard Captain Kurotsuchi Mayuri's voice.
"This much spiritual pressure… Even a structure made of seki-seki stone—he's going to shatter it in one strike!"
But before Akira could unleash his attack—
Boom!
A shockwave exploded in front of him, blocking his golden sword light.
A powerful, oppressive Reiatsu surged forth, clashing against his own.
As the dust cleared, a tall figure with long black braids stood before him.
"Forcing spiritual energy to cancel out the true name release of the Sword of Victory…"
Akira's voice was calm but edged with power.
"You're the first person since Zaraki Kenpachi to have enough Reiatsu to pull that off."
"No, I'm still not good enough." Unohana Retsu shook her head.
She discarded the tattered leader's robe and sighed. "Such a terrifying technique… I poured an immense amount of spiritual power into it, yet some of it still escaped."
Akira eyed her calmly. "So, you and Kurotsuchi Mayuri were the ones sent by Yamamoto to deal with me today?"
"That's right," Unohana confirmed with a nod. "You truly came to the Confession Palace."
Akira narrowed his eyes. "And what about Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni? Is it just you two?"
"It's just us," Unohana affirmed without hesitation.
Akira smiled faintly. "I doubt it's because of a lack of manpower."
Unohana's expression darkened. "That's only one of the reasons."
"Speaking of which, the current shortage of manpower is thanks to you." Her voice was laced with quiet menace. "Look at the mess you've made."
Rukia, who had been silently observing, stiffened at those words.
Unohana hadn't spelled it out explicitly, but… if Akira was the reason the Gotei 13 was struggling with personnel, then… could it be?
Unohana continued, "Another reason is that your arrival at the Confession Palace was only a possibility. We couldn't confirm it completely."
"Moreover, if you were with the Ryoka, then splitting our forces wasn't an option. The Commander-General and the others had to defend key areas of the Seireitei."
At this, Rukia could no longer focus on who the so-called "Ryoka" were.
—You actually pushed the entire Gotei 13 into such a dire state? Just how much damage did you cause, Ah Chen?!
Had he really taken on the whole Gotei 13 like he claimed he would?
Akira exhaled softly. "So that's why only the two of you came to face me."
"After all, I heard that old man Yamamoto ordered that no fewer than four captain-level combatants should engage me."
"You're mistaken."
Unohana's voice turned cold.
"This has nothing to do with a lack of manpower. Captain Kurotsuchi and I did not disobey the commander's orders."
She took a step forward, spiritual pressure rising.
"Haven't you realized it yet?" Her gaze bore into him. "The Commander-General's orders were that no fewer than four captain-level combatants should face you—not necessarily four captains."
Before Akira could react, Unohana had already drawn her Zanpakutō, unleashing a suffocating aura that crushed the air around them.
"In other words, the reason only Captain Kurotsuchi and I were sent to fight you today is simple—"
Her blade began to bleed, a crimson mist rising around her.
"Because my combat power alone is worth at least three captain-class Shinigami!"
The greatest villain in the history of Soul Society stood before her.
And with a single whisper, she declared the end.
"Bankai—Minazuki."
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