On the Cultivation of an Actor

[Character Sign-in: Azashiro Soya]

[Kendo level +1, currently lv64]

[Reiatsu level +3, currently lv52]

[Obtained exclusive trait: Kido Mastery]

[Kido Mastery: A qualified Shinigami should not just know how to swing a broken sword at the enemy. A true Shinigami should be— Elegant! Utterly elegant. Unleash firepower while chatting and laughing, drowning your enemies in endless Kido. Kido consumption reduced by 50%, power increased by 100%!]

BOOM!

The breakthrough in Reiatsu made Kisaragi Akira's offensive even more ferocious.

The flamboyant radiance of his Reiatsu coiled around his body like tentacles, while sharp blades flickered in every direction, each strike aiming straight for his opponent's vitals.

His shifting form moved like flowing water amidst the blades of Reishi, as nimble as a graceful swallow.

A fierce, icy aura erupted wildly, as if venting the anger burning within his heart.

Azashiro Soya frowned slightly, sensing the abnormality in Kisaragi Akira, and a hint of regret surfaced in his mind.

Perhaps...

Using the Nikkotsu District to provoke this young man was a bit too heavy-handed.

"The gap cannot be bridged by technique alone."

Azashiro Soya's expression remained calm as he said indifferently: "There is an insurmountable chasm between our levels of Reiatsu."

"Kisaragi-kun, you cannot stop me from doing anything."

His only response was a strike of extreme ferocity, as if it intended to cleave the very air before him in two.

The moment the blade descended, a sharp, shattering sound rang out.

Mercy of the Death Sword!

The Kendo style stolen from Unohana Retsu shone brilliantly in Kisaragi Akira's hands.

The treacherous trajectory of the blade caused even Azashiro Soya, who controlled the Reishi of the entire execution ground, to falter for a split second.

The intersecting blades of Reishi transformed into an inescapable net, covering the area as the air trembled and groaned under the unbearable pressure.

Death Sword Style: Parting Clouds!

The clashing blade light reflected his icy face. As the night turned into a vast curtain, beneath the moonlight, the Kendo style belonging to the First Kenpachi emerged brilliantly from the execution ground, which was already thick with the stench of blood!

The Zanpakuto descended, as if an invisible giant hand were brushing everything aside. The shattered blade light scattered into countless particles of Reishi, and a bone-chilling cold struck straight at Azashiro Soya's face!

CLANG!

The sound of metal clashing echoed through the execution ground.

An invisible barrier stood firmly in front, unmoved no matter how much power and Reiatsu Kisaragi Akira unleashed.

The gap was clear at a glance!

Watching the scene before him, Kisaragi Akira tilted his head back, his gaze cold to the extreme, his parched lips parting slightly:

"Hado #33: Sokatsui!"

Azashiro Soya was startled, his pupils constricting.

It wasn't surprise at Kisaragi Akira's grasp of Kido, but rather the realization that at such close range, the power of a #33 Hado would be pushed to its absolute limit.

But at the same time, it would consume them both!

A brilliant, azure flame flared upon the blade, lighting up the execution ground for an instant as a scorching heat erupted!

The tongues of fire licked forward, instantly melting a stray lock of hair.

Realizing that the boy before him had no intention of holding back, Azashiro Soya activated his ability.

A turbulent flow of Reishi transformed into an extreme storm, raging through the execution ground until it extinguished the azure flames entirely.

The hard ground collapsed with a roar, turning into surging waves that piled up layer upon layer, instantly rising dozens of meters high, sealing the boy within like a living entity.

"Although it is offensive."

"Please forgive me for using such a crude method."

Having ended the battle in an instant, Azashiro Soya acted as if he had done something trivial.

He walked slowly to Kisaragi Akira's side, explaining with an apologetic tone:

"I changed my original thoughts the moment I saw my sister."

"Exterminating Hollows is the duty of a Shinigami, not the residents of Rukongai."

"When I forced a burden that wasn't theirs upon them, I perhaps became the very thing I once hated most."

"Those nobles who look down upon us with disdain..."

Kisaragi Akira's expression shifted slightly; it seemed he had never expected things to unfold in such a manner.

"And the reason I said what I did earlier," Azashiro Soya sighed, "was merely to understand your thoughts."

Kisaragi Akira's brows furrowed tightly. His violent aura eased, and he asked in a suspicious tone:

"So, you were just trying to provoke me?"

"And you were desperate to get a good beating?"

Hearing this, Azashiro Soya opened his mouth but hesitated.

The logic held up, but why did it sound so strange when phrased that way?

"Please forgive me."

Azashiro Soya sighed and lowered his posture.

He was a man of strong principles.

The other party had allowed him to see his sister, yet he had tested him in such an offensive manner.

To a certain extent, this had already violated his principles.

But for the sake of the future of Soul Society and the future of the Shinigami, Azashiro Soya was willing to bear the misunderstandings of others.

Although they had not been in contact for long.

Kisaragi Akira's performance had already surpassed that of any genius seen in the last hundred years.

If such a person were to go astray, the destruction he could bring would far exceed his own.

However, after this test.

Azashiro Soya believed that with someone who held such firm convictions, even if the path ahead were to deviate, it would not go too far off course.

Perhaps, in the near future.

The name of Kisaragi would spread throughout the entire Soul Society!

Azashiro Soya looked at the boy trapped by the raised ground, a thoughtful look flashing in the depths of his eyes:

"After I was promoted to captain of the 11th Division, all the assets of the Azashiro Clan that had been carved up were returned, and there was even more than before."

"To thank you for everything you did tonight."

"If you don't mind, please accept these worldly possessions."

Hearing this, Kisaragi Akira's eyes lit up.

He hadn't expected such an unexpected windfall; this guy Azashiro was alright!

First, he offered trust, and now he was offering assets.

After all this, it was well worth the effort he had spent acting tonight.

"It is getting late; it is time to return."

Azashiro Soya glanced at the brightening horizon and raised his hand to release the restraints on Kisaragi Akira. "Someone will go to the Spiritual Arts Academy to communicate with you regarding this matter."

"Farewell, you two."

As his words fell, his figure shattered directly, dissolving into countless spirit particles in the air.

Just as Kisaragi Akira was feeling smug, thinking he had deceived everyone.

A calm and familiar voice rang in his ear.

"Akira, you've really worked hard."

Aizen walked slowly to his side, a playful smile hanging on the corners of his slightly curled lips:

"With such exquisite acting skills, you must have put in quite a lot of effort in your daily life, right?"

"Then, let us take a guess..."

"The person you often use these acting skills to deceive... it wouldn't be me, would it?"

As soon as these words were spoken.

Kisaragi Akira's heart skipped a beat. Looking at the gentle smile before him, he suddenly felt a cold sweat running down his back...