Kurosaki Ichigo and Shihouin Yoruichi were undoubtedly among the fastest combatants in Soul Society.
Akira knew that charging up the Sword of Victory in front of them was impossible. However, speed was also one of his greatest strengths.
"Wind, howl—"
In the next instant, two identical figures of Akira appeared before Ichigo and Yoruichi.
Before the two could even react, both figures simultaneously unleashed the Wind King Barrier!
"Is this the same illusion cast at the west gate? No… something's off!"
Before that thought could fully form, Akira was already attacking!
Not calling out his real name for release didn't mean he couldn't wield the holy sword's other powers.
One Akira reversed his grip on the hilt, and with the acceleration of the Wind King Enchantment, he shattered past three times the speed of sound—vanishing in a blur!
In an instant, he was upon Ichigo. Golden light erupted from his blade as he swung down toward Ichigo, whose eyes widened in shock!
The other Akira, moving with the swiftness of lightning, teleported behind Yoruichi.
"Too fast to see—!"
But Yoruichi, a master of Shunko and trained in the electric field technique, barely managed to react. She countered with a lightning-fast kick.
"Wind King Hammer!"
Akira's sword struck at the same moment. The Wind King Enchantment detonated with explosive force, sending Yoruichi hurtling through the air!
"Ugh—! What insane power!"
Yoruichi tumbled back, feeling her left foot go numb from the impact.
At the same time, Ichigo, struck by sheer force, was blasted across the battlefield, carving a deep trench more than ten meters long before stopping.
"Damn… What's with this monster-like strength?! Even if I try to hold on, I can't stop him—!"
Ichigo's hands trembled as he struggled to rise.
Akira's technique was a fusion of the Wind King Barrier and the Holy Sword's augmentation, a peak-level integration of talent.
The result was an overwhelming force that eclipsed even the captains of the Gotei 13, leaving both Ichigo and Yoruichi battered!
"Schneider!"
Sensing the dire situation, Ishida Uryuu swiftly loosed a high-velocity Licht Regen arrow.
But Akira didn't even turn his head. With a slight tilt, he effortlessly evaded Uryuu's fastest attack.
"Compared to these two nuisances, you are nothing but an insect."
His voice was low and cold, his overwhelming spiritual pressure crushing down on Uryuu.
"With such pitiful combat ability, who gave you the audacity to challenge me?"
Uryuu's body froze, unable to move. Panic gripped his mind.
"I—I'm going to die…!"
At that moment, Ichigo's roar erupted across the battlefield.
"Stay away from my comrade, bastard!!"
A violent surge of crimson-black energy flared from Tensa Zangetsu, Ichigo swinging with all his might—
"Getsuga… TENSHOU!!"
The sheer density of this ultra-high-density spiritual slash was overwhelming!
Just from the terrifying range alone, Kurosaki Ichigo could tell—if Akira had revealed his Zanpakutō's abilities at the West Gate, it wouldn't have been enough to deflect this attack. Dodging was the only option!
BOOM!
The crescent-shaped wave of energy swept across the sky, tearing through the air with devastating force. But under Ichigo's expectant gaze, the target he had locked onto—Akira—suddenly vanished from sight.
"Huh?"
Ichigo's eyes widened in shock. His strongest Bankai-infused attack, fueled by condensed spirit energy, had simply… missed?!
"Looks like the Mirror Clone's time is up."
A voice rang out from the side. It was Akira, standing near Yoruichi, raising his hand toward Ichigo.
"30 Million Volts: Thunder Beast!"
"30 Million Volts: Thunderbird!"
"60 Million Volts: Brontosaurus!"
A storm of high-voltage lightning erupted, surging toward Ichigo, who was still processing what had happened.
"AAAAHHHHHH!!"
The battlefield was bathed in electric light as the triple-layered Thunder Beast Tide struck him head-on. Ichigo's agonized screams echoed through the air as the electricity surged through his body, momentarily paralyzing him.
Akira observed his struggling opponent with a calm expression.
"To be honest, you're starting to get on my nerves." He turned his hand, preparing to deliver the final blow. "I think I'll just end this here."
"…"
"You won't get that chance!"
A blinding bolt of lightning suddenly cut through the battlefield, slamming into Akira's attack and neutralizing it. His eyes narrowed as he turned to the source—Shihouin Yoruichi had reappeared, her body surging with power.
BOOM!
Lightning clashed against lightning, filling the air with crackling energy. At this moment, Yoruichi's form had changed. Two large Raijin horns had materialized on her head, and six Tomoe rings floated in a circle behind her back.
"Shunkō: Raijin Form!"
A variation of Shunkō, this form allowed Yoruichi to manipulate pure lightning, channeling it through her body to unleash devastating electric discharges. By rotating the Tomoe rings and shifting her stance, she could release an omnidirectional surge of destructive energy capable of obliterating anything in its path.
Akira sneered. "Oh? You think you can fight lightning with lightning?"
Yoruichi's golden eyes flashed. "I've already analyzed your abilities. Even your absurd speed—it's linked to your manipulation of lightning, isn't it?"
She clenched her fists. "That's why this is the best way to fight you!"
Akira scoffed. "Ridiculous."
He raised his hand, and a massive bolt of divine lightning surged forth.
"Judgment of the Gods!"
The thunder beam roared through the air, but Yoruichi was ready. She swiftly raised her hands—lightning erupted from the sky in response, intercepting the attack and cutting through it!
Yoruichi smirked. "So, this really does work against you!"
Akira's expression darkened. "Do you think using a mere imitation of thunder can match the embodiment of lightning itself?"
At that moment, his entire body surged with even more intense electricity, the sheer force warping the air around him.
"It seems I'll have to educate you on the difference between fantasy and reality."
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