Chapter 100 ⥤ This Really Makes It Hard to Keep a Straight Face
A deafening roar echoed across the empty plains, sending gusts of howling wind in all directions.
A colossal figure, hundreds of meters tall, strode across the plains, leaving massive footprints in the soft soil. Its long, Pinocchio-like nose twitched eerily, searching for the scent of prey.
A lower-class Menos Grande, Gillian.
Somehow, it had broken through the spatial barrier into Soul Society. Despite its powerful Reiatsu, its low intelligence meant it could only act on instinct.
Even in this environment so different from Hueco Mundo, the Gillian's sole drive was to find souls to fill its emptiness. Just a few more souls, and it could evolve into a mid-class Menos...
Without hesitation, it turned its mountain-like legs toward the civilian settlement.
However, a figure whose Reiatsu was impossible to detect appeared behind it, in a spot the Gillian had failed to notice.
The figure raised their left hand, index finger extended, and spoke in a calm voice:
"Sprinkled on the bones of the beast! Sharp tower, red crystal, steel ring. Move and become the wind, stop and become the calm. The sound of warring spears fills the empty castle!"
⤫ Hadō #63: Raikōhō ⥤ Thunder Roar Sear! ⤬
As the words fell, surging Reiatsu gathered at the fingertip and burst forth. The fierce winds on the plains froze, as if time itself had stopped.
In the next instant, brilliant golden light transformed into a torrent. Terrifying lightning arcs shot skyward, illuminating the dim sky and revealing the hundred-meter-tall behemoth.
The Gillian finally noticed, struggling to turn its enormous body to face its attacker.
But before it could complete its turn, the scorching lightning condensed into an unmatched pillar of light, rising with unstoppable force and engulfing its massive form!
Unbearable pain tormented what little rationality the Gillian possessed, forcing agonized screams that echoed across the plain.
The figure shrouded in Kidō light was surprised — a fully-chanted Raikōhō should have killed this Gillian instantly.
But this was fine. Normal Gillians didn't possess such steel-like defenses — only those on the verge of evolving into Adjuchas showed such power.
If one Kidō couldn't finish it, then another would do.
⤫ Hadō #63: Raikōhō ⥤ Thunder Roar Sear! ⤬
The calm voice rang out again, detached and clinical.
Magnificent lightning descended from the heavens like an inverted river, once more submerging the Gillian's massive body. Endless shockwaves howled outward, tearing gaps across the vast plains until that mountain-like form crashed down.
Its crimson eyes dimmed, ready to fade at any moment.
"Though dead specimens can be studied too." A barely audible murmur emerged from beneath the Kidō light as the figure approached, "Live specimens hold greater value. Hopefully this time I can obtain the results I want."
Just as they took out prepared Spiritual Tools to capture the Gillian, a Reiatsu suddenly touched the Kidō barrier set at the edge of the plains.
The figure looked up toward where the Kidō was triggered, confusion flashing across their eyes. There was no time to think — the other party was approaching rapidly, clearly heading for this location.
Without hesitation, they abandoned their experimental material and used Shunpo.
The figure hadn't gone far, choosing instead to conceal themselves on a nearby hillside while quickly setting up multiple layers of binding Kidō barriers to mask their presence.
Dust swept across the plains like a racing dump truck.
Soon, another figure appeared at the previous battlefield.
Wearing a haori over a Shihakushō, the one-eyed god's image fluttered with the garment, the slogan "It's free, so trust it a little" standing out prominently.
Upon seeing the newcomer, the figure hidden behind the binding Kidō barriers was dumbfounded — they had never expected this sight.
How could it be this guy?! Shouldn't it be someone from the 2nd or 8th Division?
"Hm? Where are they?!" Akira looked around, realizing that despite his speed, he had failed to catch the culprit, 'I made a mistake, should have come quietly...'
As he cursed his bad luck, he examined the battle traces left on the field.
The mountain-like body lay on the ground, its black surface riddled with lightning-blasted gaps, as if sprayed by hundreds of heavy machine guns — barely any flesh remained intact.
More remarkably, this Gillian still breathed. Its dim eyes emitted a weak crimson light, though judging by its heaving body, it wouldn't last much longer.
Tch, such a brutal attack.
Akira sighed and began detecting the traces remaining in the air.
There were two distinct Reiatsu signatures — one violent and dark, pure negative energy accumulated. Without doubt, that belonged to the fallen Gillian.
The other Reiatsu was unfamiliar, leaving no impression.
But somehow, it felt familiar...
As he pondered, the deep darkness in the sky began to distort and ripple again, several crimson lights brewing within.
Akira noticed the anomaly and looked up. Just as shock crossed his face, violent energy erupted from the darkness in surging waves, appearing like an endless torrent above the plains.
⤫ Shunpo ⥤ Flash Steps ⤬
Before the Cero arrived, his Danger Instinct had already begun sending piercing warnings. Though this charging technique might not hurt him even at point-blank range.
His figure vanished from the spot, flickering and weaving between the crimson torrents like a dancer on knife edges.
⤫ Kyōki Shunpo ⥤ Crazy Flash Steps ⤬
The figure under the barrier watched the silhouette weaving through the Cero beams with bewilderment, as if question marks were floating before their eyes.
Why was this guy acting so recklessly? He could have simply used Shunpo to move beyond the Cero's range.
Just one more step would have been enough...
As the Cero torrent dissipated, several more massive Gillians emerged from the darkness, their grotesque bone masks and crimson eyes gleaming with greed.
Upon entering Soul Society, they immediately began absorbing the Reishi in the surrounding air, adapting to this environment so different from Hueco Mundo.
"A group of Hollows?" Akira raised an eyebrow, realizing he might have walked into a trap.
Though often dense, he could be surprisingly perceptive when it mattered.
"Whatever, let's fight first and talk later!"
As the Gillians fixed their gaze upon him, he stretched his arms, his joints crackling like firecrackers while his modest Reiatsu surged forth.
His Reiatsu was indeed modest compared to these Gillian-class Hollows, who could challenge even high-ranking Officers.
" Name: Akira Kisaragi "
" Identity: Sakahone Shrine Head Priest, Rukongai Commoner, Genryū Disciple, 11th Division 3rd Seat "
" Reiatsu: Level 70 | Rank 7 Spirit Class "
" Zanjutsu: Level 75 "
" Hakuda: Level 60 "
" Hohō: Level 50 "
" Kidō: Level 55 "
" Exclusive Trait: Reishi Affinity | Danger Instinct | Heart of a God | Miraculous Healing | Light as a Feather | Merciful Death Blade | Kidō Mastery | Unique Insight | Absolute Justice"
Despite his modest Reiatsu, his other abilities were remarkable.
Truth be told, he owed everything to Genryūsai's training. These impressive capabilities had been forged through countless sparring sessions with the old man.
Akira vowed to never forget his master's guidance and to repay this debt someday!
During Akira's training in the 1st Division, Genryūsai found himself constantly redefining his concept of "genius".
Initially, he assumed his new Elemental Style disciple merely possessed strong natural Reiryoku. Yet after just days of instruction, Genryūsai was astounded to discover Akira's exceptional talent for Reiryoku cultivation.
Though his current Reiatsu level remained modest, his progress was astonishing — each passing day revealed new mastery.
The old man eventually grew accustomed to these surprises.
Just when Genryūsai thought he'd seen the limits of Akira's potential, the young man revealed his extraordinary gift for Kidō.
Not only did he master techniques swiftly, but he could also innovate, creating original Kidō and developing new systems.
Though such abilities had been documented in reports, witnessing them firsthand left even Genryūsai stunned.
What was this, a fool's blessing? While the Soul King closed one window, did he just blow the roof off instead?
Despite his initial skepticism, Genryūsai embraced his role completely, teaching not just Elemental Style Hakuda, but also Kidō and Hohō.
As for Zanjutsu, he wisely left that to Unohana, avoiding any diplomatic tension between the 1st and 4th Divisions.
Through intensive training, Akira's abilities soared to new heights.
Even Hohō, his weakest skill, now surpassed high-ranking Officers. Combined with his "Light as a Feather" trait and powerful Spiritual Body, his Shunpo speed rivaled some Captains.
Save for his inability to achieve Shikai, he matched — perhaps even exceeded — a certain future Captain in combat prowess.
After all, few possessed the Heart of a God.
Thus, facing the Hollow group, Akira felt not fear but anticipation.
The Hollows unleashed thunderous roars that rippled visibly through the sky above the plains, their chaotic, violent Reiatsu descending with crushing, despair-inducing force.
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Under the small hill, within the binding Kidō barrier.
Watching Akira charge forward with a battle cry instead of retreating, the observer felt their composure slipping away.
They had seen reckless fighters before, but this was different. Had joining the 11th Division addled his mind?
Surely in this situation, the sensible approach would be to alert the Seireitei and summon Captain-class Shinigami.
Yet what happened next completely changed their perspective.
Draw sword, strike!
A familiar figure sliced through the Gillians' skulls, hot blood spraying in his wake, before coming to a graceful stop.
The massive body crashed earthward.
"A high-ranking Officer's Reiatsu, Unohana's Death Sword Style, and an even stronger Spiritual Body..." Within the binding Kidō barrier, a mumbled voice arose as confusion crossed the face shrouded in Kidō light.
Despite his own meteoric rise — unprecedented in Soul Society's history — why couldn't he leave this man behind? Why did the gap between them seem to narrow?
Even setting aside Reiatsu, which ordinary Shinigami considered decisive, this man's abilities in every other area were nothing short of extraordinary.
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⤫ Jigoku Tsuki Hakai ⥤ Hellish Moon Destruction! ⤬
In the misty blood-red light, a new moon slowly rose.
Without pause, Akira unleashed his most magnificent sword technique, the style inherited from the first Kenpachi unfolding amidst the roars.
Like a hot knife through butter, the thick black line split in two the moment the new moon touched it, bursting apart completely!
Several giant bone claws suddenly grabbed at him while building-sized bone feet cast shadows from above.
Though Gillians possessed low intelligence, their instincts alone could unleash devastating combat ability — they could overwhelm not just ordinary Shinigami, but even high-ranking Officers.
More notably, they felt no fear.
Boom! Boom Boom!!
The ground cracked like a violent earthquake, countless fissures spreading like a spider web across the ravaged plains. Angry roars echoed as chaotic Reiatsu swept across the battlefield in tidal waves.
Their collective power was immense — when Gillians gathered together, they could unleash enough force to shake any enemy!
Facing this scene, Akira raised his left hand high. The properties of Byakurai and Shakkahō surged and flowed, concentrating in his palm before merging into a dazzling sword.
⤫ Hadō #?: Raienken ⥤ Thunder Fire Sword! ⤬
Facing the roaring Gillians' attempts to intimidate him, his lips curled into a fierce smile. With his Zanpakutō in his right hand and the Thunder Fire Sword in his left, purple flames blazed around his body as he charged back in with fierce courage.
At this moment, he was unstoppable!
Mountain-like bodies collapsed and shattered, grotesque bone masks broke apart, charging Cero beams cut short, and severed limbs dissolved to dust.
Shattered Reishi shot into the sky!
But while Akira reveled in his easy victory, something writhed in the deep darkness above. A pair of golden eyes fixed intently on everything happening on the battlefield below.
Those pupils were filled with greed...
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