After arriving at a safe location, Akira immediately fell asleep.
The repeated battles and the lingering effects of the poison had exhausted him, and he urgently needed rest to recover his strength.
However, Akira did not let his guard down.
Even in sleep, he remained vigilant, keeping his Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) activated without interruption. The moment anyone stepped within its range, he would awaken instantly.
Boom… boom… boom…
After an unknown amount of time, the sound of footsteps echoed. A figure entered the range of Akira's Haki and approached him directly.
Although he had already woken up, Akira kept his eyes closed, feigning sleep to observe the intruder's intentions.
The figure slowly raised a hand, hovering it over Akira's body—
Then, a faint glow of Kaido's light appeared.
"What?"
A voice—female—murmured in surprise.
"There's barely any poison left in his body? No… this isn't right…"
She pondered for a moment before muttering, "Rather than saying he's been detoxified, it's more accurate to say he was never truly poisoned in the first place."
Even Unohana Retsu couldn't understand it.
How had Akira managed to fight for so long in such a dense concentration of toxic mist yet remained virtually unaffected?
Even she, with her unparalleled healing abilities, had required significant time to neutralize the poison from her own body after exposure.
Akira suddenly opened his eyes and said,
"Captain Unohana, have you considered the possibility that after I capture Kurotsuchi Mayuri, I'll force him to reveal the location of the antidote?"
Unohana's expression remained calm, but a glint of surprise flickered in her eyes.
She shook her head. "Captain Kurotsuchi's poison is a newly developed formula, specifically adjusted for you. He had no time to create an antidote—he doesn't even have one himself."
"Which is exactly why I had to neutralize it on my own," Unohana continued. "And because my medical skills are the finest in the Gotei 13, I was able to work alongside him to accomplish this plan."
Akira nodded slightly. "I see… Then, how did you find me?"
Unohana smiled. "I considered several locations where Shinigami typically wouldn't go, then checked them one by one. Eventually, I found you."
Akira raised an eyebrow. "So, does that mean you also searched the Central Underground Chamber?"
Unohana nodded. "Yes. But nothing seemed unusual there, and Central 46 reprimanded me for investigating it."
Akira chuckled. "I told you to wait until tomorrow to bring it up… So, what brings you here now?"
Unohana's expression grew more serious. "Aside from wanting to confirm your condition, I also came to warn you."
She continued, "I reported the statement you provided to the Commander-General. However, without concrete evidence, he refused to acknowledge it."
Her next words were heavy. "Rukia Kuchiki's execution is set for tomorrow. I know you will be there… and when you do, you will undoubtedly face Captain Yamamoto and Vice-Captain Chōjirō Sasakibe."
Her tone darkened. "Because there's a chance that you're telling the truth, I don't want to see you fall tomorrow—not before the evidence you spoke of comes to light."
Akira gave a low hum. "Are you so certain that I'll fall?"
Unohana exhaled softly. "It's not just a possibility—I'd say it's a certainty."
Her voice was unwavering. "Captain Yamamoto has already let you slip away once. Next time, he won't allow the same mistake."
Unohana Retsu spoke solemnly, "In this battle, I expect the Captain-Commander to use his Bankai immediately. When that happens, you will have no chance."
"The power of Captain Yamamoto's Bankai, Zanka no Tachi, is beyond comprehension. Given enough time, it could incinerate the entire Soul Society. Do not entertain any illusions that you can stand against it."
"Not to mention Vice-Captain Sasakibe. He was a master swordsman who achieved Bankai long before most of us, yet he rarely displayed it. Even though he served the Captain-Commander for centuries, he only revealed his Bankai two or three times in battle. To this day, I am uncertain of its full capabilities."
Although Unohana had gauged Akira's strength firsthand in their battle, her assessment remained firm.
After all, it was Yamamoto Genryūsai who had once tamed her—the Soul Society's most notorious criminal-turned-captain.
She understood better than anyone the terrifying force that was Yamamoto Genryūsai Shigekuni.
Not to mention that his Bankai, which had already stood at the pinnacle of destruction, had only grown more refined over the past thousand years.
Of course, Akira was well aware of this.
Compared to other flashy abilities, Yamamoto's Bankai was the embodiment of absolute firepower—pure, overwhelming devastation.
And it was precisely this simplicity that made it all the more difficult to counter.
"I know. You don't need to remind me," Akira said coolly.
"If there's nothing else, you should leave."
Unohana nodded without hesitation and turned to go. However, just as she reached the door, she paused.
"Captain Akira… I call you that because I hope to continue being your colleague in the future."
"You are strong—so strong that I find myself fascinated by you. But that also means that if you were my enemy, it would be an unbearable nuisance."
"That is why I would rather stand beside you, not against you," Unohana said with quiet conviction before turning back to him.
"So—don't die. Take care."
With that, Unohana's figure vanished beyond the doorway.
Akira tilted his head slightly, an amused smile playing at his lips.
"Fascinated by me, huh? I suppose those devoted to the way of the sword are pure in their own way."
He stepped outside, glancing up at the night sky.
Darkness had fallen. The time to claim his survival reward was drawing near.
"Today's battles… not only were there traps meant specifically for me, but even relics of the past like the original Kenpachi stood among my enemies."
"On top of that, I encountered a berserk Hollow Kurosaki Ichigo, the head of the Shihōin family at full power, and even a Quincy in their final form…"
As Akira reflected on the events of the day, one thought came to mind—
Today had been nothing short of a trial for his very existence.
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