A Disagreement, and Two Knives in Your Ribs

The person who finished all this lay flat on the ground like a dead fish.

Judging by his shallow, ragged breathing, he looked like he was on the verge of death.

"This time, I took a massive loss."

After finally catching his breath, Kisaragi Akira said with a pained expression:

"If I had performed a ritual of this caliber back in the Nikkotsu District, I could have easily earned ten thousand Kan or so."

"This time, not only did I do it for free, but I also burned through a Ritual Bell, two incense candles, and a Gohei. A total bloodbath, not a single cent earned."

Aizen glanced at this guy with a blank expression and said calmly:

"You were the one who acted on your own, and you are the one regretting it now."

"If I hadn't been standing by just now, the ritual would have been impossible to complete, and you would have been caught in the backlash yourself."

"Is there ever a time when you aren't unreliable?"

Hearing this, Kisaragi Akira furrowed his brows, a thoughtful expression appearing on his face.

Just as Aizen thought this guy might have turned over a new leaf, he heard a decisive and resounding reply:

"Nope!"

Aizen: "..."

Suppressing the urge to slash his sword down on the man's head, he turned his gaze toward the distance.

The wailing continued, and it wasn't hard to hear the extreme grief in those sounds.

In the eyes of Azashiro Soya, from this moment on, he was truly alone.

The pain he experienced in his youth was playing out before his eyes once again.

His helplessness as a child had not changed in the slightest.

Even though he had become one of the strongest dozen Shinigami in the Soul Society, he was still unable to save his sister's life.

Whether one is powerful or not, it is of no use in the face of such life-and-death partings.

Even someone as strong as the Captain-Commander Yamamoto Genryusai Shigekuni could not change such a reality.

Azashiro Soya was immersed in pain, unable to pull himself out.

In the execution grounds.

Aizen's eye twitched as he watched Kisaragi Akira shove the offering table into his pants. Even though he had seen it many times, he still couldn't understand why this guy had such a perverse sense of humor.

"Are you planning to just give the Ritual Bell to Azashiro Soya?"

"How is that possible?" Kisaragi Akira widened his eyes and shook the Ritual Bell as if showing it off. "This is a sacred object I obtained only after pouring my heart and soul into it and spending countless Power of the Sacred Eye."

"With my devout faith in Lord Mimihagi..."

"You want more money, don't you?" Aizen sighed.

Kisaragi Akira grinned: "Sosuke knows me best."

I don't know how much time passed, but the sorrowful sounds gradually subsided, and Azashiro Soya reappeared in the execution grounds.

At this moment, the execution grounds had returned to their usual calm.

When he arrived before Kisaragi Akira and Aizen once again, the 8th Kenpachi had already retrieved his usual cold mask, appearing even more frigid than before.

He was like an iceberg that would never melt in ten thousand years.

"Although there were some accidents, I still thank you, Kisaragi Akira."

Azashiro Soya was a man of principle.

He knew very well that his actions this time were highly offensive.

Neither Kisaragi Akira nor Aizen should have been dragged into such matters.

But back in the Zenteiji District.

Kisaragi Akira's ritual technique had brought the dead back to life, causing ripples in his otherwise calm state of mind.

If it were possible, he just wanted to see her one more time.

With that thought in mind, he had activated the ability of Uro Zakuro, created a clone to appear in his temporary quarters, and made his request.

Although he didn't hold out much hope, he still brought them to this execution ground where his pain was buried.

Fortunately, Kisaragi Akira had not failed his expectations.

However, since they were already involved, he might as well tell them his original plan and hear "their" opinions.

"Regarding Zenteiji..."

Azashiro Soya spoke calmly, "It was actually a pilot project of mine."

"What do you mean?"

Kisaragi Akira looked up, puzzled.

Azashiro Soya stated his thoughts with icy detachment:

"Transform all residents of Rukongai, grant them the ability to annihilate the Hollows, and finally, invade Hueco Mundo."

"The incident at Shantei Temple is merely the beginning."

"I will report this plan to the Central 46 next, and then proceed with its implementation..."

Before he could finish, Azashiro Soya suddenly noticed a subtle change in the expression of Kisaragi Akira, the man he regarded as his benefactor.

"The Rukongai you speak of—it wouldn't include Nikkotsu District, would it?"

Azashiro Soya nodded without changing his expression, admitting:

"Naturally."

"Annihilating the Hollows requires a great many..."

Clang—

The sound of a blade leaving its sheath cut short Azashiro Soya's explanation.

Aizen was stunned to see Kisaragi Akira display a side of himself he had never witnessed before.

Wild Reiatsu surged wantonly, coiling around the silver-white blade.

There was not a trace of emotion on the boy's face, which had turned deathly calm; the transition from his usual playful demeanor to this extreme state had taken only an instant.

"You should know this."

"I come from the local Shrine in Nikkotsu District..."

The blade in Kisaragi Akira's hand glinted with a dangerous light. "That is my home."

Azashiro Soya nodded slightly:

"I know."

"But—"

"Is sacrificing the few for the sake of the many not exactly what a true Shinigami should do?"

A brilliant flash of steel and invisible Reiatsu collided in the air, sparks flying to illuminate two expressionless, deathly calm faces in the darkness.

"Screw your Shinigami..."

An incredibly violent Kendo assault unfolded instantly, rushing forward like a torrential storm.

Invisible Reishi in the air gathered in massive quantities, manifesting as wave after wave of blade light to parry the strikes, which were swift beyond measure.

Bankai, Uro Zakuro!

By fusing his own Reishi with the Reishi contained within other living or non-living things, he could manipulate them at will.

A flicker of surprise crossed Azashiro Soya's eyes.

Although his Bankai had already fused with the Reishi of the entire Seireitei, allowing him to monitor everything occurring within this space, there was a limit to his brain's processing capacity.

Therefore, Azashiro Soya only observed the parts he deemed significant.

A place like the Spiritual Arts Academy was not yet worth his full attention.

Thus, upon witnessing Kisaragi Akira's outburst, he was still extremely surprised.

He had not expected that beneath that carefree exterior, such a ferocious side was hidden.

Facing an existence countless times stronger than himself, the boy still dared to draw his blade to protect everything he cherished.

Kisaragi-kun, you have already surpassed me by far.

The corners of Azashiro Soya's mouth lifted slightly, revealing a smile that was difficult to detect.

Kisaragi Akira gripped his Zanpakuto tightly, his gaze cold, falling upon the figure before him like a sharp blade.

He did not care about the disparity in strength.

He only knew one thing: if he did not stand up to protect them now, then truly, no one else would ever care.

However, just as the battle grew increasingly intense, a familiar voice sounded once more.

[Azashiro Soya trust level reached, check-in conditions met]

[Character check-in: Azashiro Soya...]