What Happened Later?

"Money will eventually vanish, but honor will not."

"Soya, you possess greater talent than your sister, so you will surely become a Soul Reaper powerful enough to uphold everything."

"Just like our ancestors..."

She smiled gently, as warm and soothing as the sun in the spring breeze.

In a family reeking of copper and greed, she was like a lotus blooming in the mud—fresh and noble.

Though the boy of the Azashiro Clan could not be like his sister, he loved to see her smile; it was the only solace in his long life.

To him, as long as he could see her smile, no amount of grueling effort mattered.

"Fine, I suppose I'll try to become a Soul Reaper then."

"But, Sister, you mustn't become a stumbling block for me!"

With thoughts that were far from straightforward, the boy of the Azashiro Clan began his studies.

Hearing such stubborn words, his sister smiled tenderly:

"Soya will surely become a greater Soul Reaper than our ancestors and become the pride of the Azashiro Clan!"

That heart-soothing smile was deeply carved into the boy's heart, becoming his greatest motivation to study and grow stronger, even though he couldn't even hold a bamboo sword properly at the time.

However, their peaceful life was shattered in an instant.

Several high-ranking nobles, coveting the wealth of the Azashiro Clan, colluded to frame them, fabricating evidence that the Azashiro Clan intended to overthrow the Five Great Noble Families and the royal family.

Soon, all members of the Azashiro Clan were arrested.

When the verdict was delivered, the Azashiro Clan came to an end, and everyone was sent to the execution grounds.

In a massive pit, they were forced to fight Hollows to the death.

Standing there, one only had to look up to see the nobles who had framed the Azashiro Clan sneering and mocking them.

They sat in the viewing stands, savoring the sight of the condemned suffering below; the interweaving of blood and corpses painted a portrait of hell.

Because the Azashiro Clan had focused on business for years, they had neglected their heritage and the importance of strength, so even against a single executioner Hollow, they could not prevail.

The boy of the Azashiro Clan was the last to be sent into the pit.

He was kept in a cell beside the pit, witnessing the horrific scene of his kin being slaughtered, his frail body trembling uncontrollably with fear.

When only the boy and his sister remained of the Azashiro Clan, the method of execution suddenly changed for unknown reasons, and both siblings were thrown into the pit together.

The jailer unlocked their shackles and leg irons, then handed each of them an Asauchi.

The executioner on the high platform sneered with disdain:

"The coming battle will prove one thing: the Azashiro Clan, once revered as heroes, no longer possesses the strength worthy of our respect."

"This bloodline has no value in continuing."

"These two siblings are all that remain of the Azashiro Clan's bloodline, and even if they join forces, they cannot kill a single Hollow."

"This is the proof of the Azashiro Clan's decline!"

The boy did not understand what the man was saying, but upon hearing these filthy nobles curse his sister, an uncontrollable rage surged within his heart.

It was like a scorching flame, burning violently.

The execution began.

A massive Hollow appeared before them, its eyes filled with countless blood vessels and a hunger for fresh flesh—

Powerful Reiatsu bore down on their small frames, and the boy's face was shrouded in endless despair, his body trembling involuntarily.

Just as he was consumed by fear, his sister turned back and revealed her familiar, gentle smile:

"It's alright, Soya."

"I will make sure you get out of here alive."

The boy could not quite remember what happened next.

He only remembered the blood splattered on his face, searingly hot.

The giant Hollow was covered in hideous wounds, and thick blood flowed down its massive body, forming a stream on the ground.

Its ugly jaw was currently clamped around the girl's body.

The boy gripped his Asauchi, wanting to rush forward to save his sister, but the fear in his heart paralyzed him, leaving him unable to move.

At that moment, the dying girl looked back at him.

There was no blame in her eyes; the corners of her mouth curled up, revealing one last gentle smile:

"Soya, you must become a Soul Reaper with great power..."

As the whisper faded, the complex incantations of Kido began to resonate.

The next moment.

Scorching blue flames roared across the Hollow's hideous face, devouring everything.

The boy's wail disintegrated in his throat, unable to form a coherent cry, leaving only a hoarse, agonizing scream...

Like a wild beast.

"And what happened after that?"

Kisaragi Akira wanted to ask, but he figured that would be akin to rubbing salt in a wound.

Considering the disparity in their strength, he suppressed the urge to court death.

Azashiro Soya glanced calmly at the two beside him, seemingly seeing right through someone's thoughts, and continued the story:

Just as the boy had regained his senses.

The executioner on the high platform let out an ugly, mocking laugh: "The last boy of the Azashiro Clan has dried his tears; it seems he is ready to fight!"

"Let us give him a round of applause!"

The boy could not yet grasp the meaning of those words, but what followed undoubtedly crushed all hope, laying bare the ugliness and the lack of moral bottom line of the nobility:

"Alright, release the next Hollow into the execution grounds."

"The story after that has no meaning."

Azashiro Soya cut off their interest, urging them along with an explanation:

"Due to the unique nature of my Zanpakuto, the Reishi that were broken down by the Soul Society that day remained stagnant within the execution grounds."

"Therefore..."

His calm gaze fell upon Kisaragi Akira.

"I will do my best!"

The youth patted his chest, though he dared not speak with too much confidence.

Previously, when he performed rituals, he had only ever gathered the Reishi of those who had died recently.

For an existence that had been gone for a hundred years, trying to collect its Reishi and manifest it back into the world was, in itself, a tall tale.

Under their puzzled gazes, Kisaragi Akira pulled an altar table from his school uniform sleeve, then took out incense, a handbell, a gohei, and a teacup filled with clear water from his chest.

Then, he pulled a neat, clean set of priest robes from his crotch.

In a flash, the Spiritual Arts Academy student transformed into the High Priest of Nikkotsu Shrine.

The incense was lit, and a curling, fragrant scent began to linger throughout the execution grounds.

The handbell chimed, its crisp, clear sound echoing through the empty space.

"In the name of Kisaragi Shrine Priest, I offer sacrifice to the One-Eyed Great Deity, Mimihagi..."

Kisaragi Akira's fingers danced with practiced ease, shifting through countless hand seals. As he chanted, he released the strongest Reiatsu he could muster at his current stage.

Since I am summoning the dead from a century ago, using a bit more Reiatsu shouldn't be a problem, right?

With this thought in mind, Kisaragi Akira completed the final steps of the ritual.

The next moment.

A massive roar erupted within the execution grounds, shaking the very dome above!

Under their two pairs of astonished eyes, a colossal and divine black phantom towered over Kisaragi Akira's body, distorting the Reishi in the surroundings.

The pitch-black ink continued to outline the form until darkness covered everything!

Sorry, the update is a bit late...