Source of Unease, The Culprit Is Actually

Following the practical Kido training with Aizen and these days of deep-level development and cultivation of his own spiritual body.

Kisaragi Akira had thoroughly mastered the properties of Byakurai, allowing him to enchant it onto basic combat techniques like swordsmanship, hand-to-hand combat, movement, and Kido.

In short, his attacks now carried lightning-based special effects.

Therefore.

When he cast Red Smoke Escape, it was no longer a mere Bakudo, but a Hado possessing immense destructive power.

The combination of massive amounts of dust and electric arcs proved unexpectedly potent.

Its power far exceeded that of Hado of the same rank, even rivaling a full-power Shakkaho.

Moreover, because the red smoke covered such a vast area, it could unleash 120% of its power in certain specific environments.

Just like now.

Explosive Fire Rain radiated scorching heat, roaming wantonly through the mountain and reaching deep into the heart of the darkness.

Crimson light erupted from the cave entrance, brilliant and dazzling, while simultaneously incinerating the nearby trees and forest.

Soon, howls of agony echoed from within the mountain.

Two massive, flame-engulfed monsters several meters tall charged out from the fire, igniting the surrounding forest with their intense heat.

Kisaragi Akira watched with a hint of excitement as the giant Hollows tried to extinguish the flames on their bodies by rolling on the ground.

Their overall structure resembled a spider, but the limbs on both sides of their bodies were comparable to those of a centipede.

They perfectly combined the most hair-raising features of both insects, enough to make anyone with entomophobia suffer a mental breakdown on the spot.

"You take the left, I'll take the right?"

Kisaragi Akira asked, glancing to the side.

To his surprise, Aizen shook his head, his brows furrowed as he said in a low voice:

"If you like, I'll leave them both for you to handle."

"It's best to finish this quickly; don't waste too much time."

Hearing this, Kisaragi Akira was slightly taken aback and was about to ask why.

But he heard Aizen continue to explain: "If we miss dinner time, you'll have to raid the Shin'o Cafeteria again tonight. With finals approaching, it's better to avoid unnecessary trouble."

Kisaragi Akira was deeply moved. Sosuke was truly kind-hearted, always thinking of his friend at every turn.

Getting to know Aizen back then was truly one of the best decisions he had ever made.

"Since you've said so."

Kisaragi Akira rolled up his sleeves and drew his Zanpakuto from its scabbard, a flash of silver light shimmering amidst the flames.

"Then let's make it quick!"

Electric arcs erupted beneath his feet, leaving behind a scorching heat as Kisaragi Akira vanished from his spot in an instant.

Noticing this, a flicker of surprise crossed Aizen's eyes.

He had already fully developed the properties of Byakurai this quickly?

As expected...

In fields outside of theoretical classes, this guy's talent was absolutely inferior to no one.

Even me, he thought.

Looking at the lightning-wreathed youth who had suddenly appeared before them, the giant Hollows' hideous pupils were filled with terror.

What kind of species is this?!

Since when did Shinigami start using electricity?

Before they could think, a sharp and ferocious aura surged toward them, and the Reiatsu pressing down gave the Hollows a sense of overwhelming oppression.

Driven by instinct, the two spider Hollows ignored the flames still burning on their bodies, their charred limbs lashing out with fierce, strangling intent!

The sound of air being torn apart rang out.

Kisaragi Akira bent his knees and stepped forward, his body taut, a low sound like a tightening bowstring resonating from his frame.

A powerful roar erupted the moment his blade descended!

Death Sword Style: Counter Wave!

Reiatsu scattered, transforming into endless waves surging against the current; the blade light was brilliant, like a heavy thundercloud crashing down with a roar!

In an instant, the metal-like limbs were severed and disintegrated, thick, blood-red liquid spraying from the fractures and splattering onto the scorched earth.

The limbs continued their relentless assault.

For a spider Hollow with hundreds of limbs, this method of attack was merely expendable; they didn't care even if many were cut off.

They only needed to land a single strike on this youth to secure their victory.

Because, in their understanding, while Shinigami were powerful, their defenses were extremely poor.

Without sufficient Reiatsu to support them, even a Gillian-class Menos could pose a threat to a captain.

Yet, after only a few brief exchanges, the two giant spider Hollows were stunned to discover that their attacks were not only ineffective, but that their limbs were becoming sluggish and paralyzed with every contact against his Zanpakuto.

"The effect is quite good."

Kisaragi Akira casually severed an incoming limb and nodded earnestly.

The power of Byakurai is limited, so it took some time to paralyze the bodies of even these two ordinary Hollows.

However, this was only the beginning.

Kisaragi Akira looked forward to seeing what level of strength he would reach once he inscribed those high-level Kido.

Sosuke, you must not let me down!

Whether or not we can stand at the apex of the heavens depends entirely on your efforts.

Having tested the properties of Byakurai, Kisaragi Akira prepared to end this rather one-sided battle.

The moment several limbs lunged at him, he erupted into Shunpo once more, slipping through the gaps in the attack to strike directly at the head where terror was rising in the compound eyes.

Squelch—

The sound of tearing flesh rang out as Kisaragi Akira stepped onto the white carapace, his Zanpakuto plunging deep into the skull.

A burst of Reiatsu shredded the interior into pulp.

The spider Hollow's compound eyes lost their luster, and its massive body collapsed limply to the ground.

Seeing its companion die, the other Hollow panicked; ignoring the paralysis and burning sensation in its body, it frantically thrashed its remaining limbs, attempting to flee the battlefield.

"Hmph, trying to run?"

Kisaragi Akira leaped into the air, his body wreathed in crackling arcs of electricity, his fierce aura fully unleashed as he brought his blade down in a clean strike!

After a glance at Kisaragi Akira, who was effortlessly crushing the two giant Hollows, Aizen stopped paying much attention.

With Kisaragi Akira's current strength, he could toy with Hollows of this level at will.

He might only struggle slightly when facing a Menos like a Gillian.

He released his Reiatsu perception, attempting to find the source of the unease in his heart from the surrounding environment.

Beyond the reach of his Reiatsu, beneath the massive tree branches, a dim Kido light descended, shrouding several figures in black.

"According to the intelligence provided by the Spiritual Arts Academy."

"Kisaragi Akira is that strongest brat."

"The reason our war failed is entirely because of the amulets he created."

"The target this time: kill him by any means necessary, even if it means the sacrifice of every member!"

Kisaragi Akira smashed the spider Hollow's skull with a single strike, red and white matter splattering everywhere in a truly disgusting display.

Just as he was collecting the compound eyes to take back for submission, a sense of unease suddenly emerged, and his Danger Instinct began to shriek piercingly!

From his blind spot, several figures in black suddenly lunged out, striking directly at the boy standing atop the corpse!