Chapter 132 ⥤ Welcome to the Shinigami Women’s Association!
Under Akira's surprised gaze, the old man voiced his concerns.
He had been watching Kōga even before his rise to fame. The man's growth rivaled Akira's, and in some ways was even more remarkable.
His achievements were impressive: joining the Kuchiki family, marrying Ginrei Kuchiki's daughter, securing major victories against the rebels, and slaying Ansai Tsunayashiro's chief Usumaru during the Kuchiki Defense Battle.
Though like Akira, he held only the rank of 3rd Seat, Kōga's accomplishments matched or exceeded those of many captains. Were it not for his position's constraints, he might already be leading one of the Divisions.
His talent was truly exceptional. Within ten years of mastering Shikai, he achieved Bankai and formed a perfect bond with his Zanpakutō Muramasa, wielding it as naturally as his own limb.
Even his father-in-law Ginrei acknowledged that Kōga's raw power had far surpassed his own. Combined with Muramasa, a Shinigami's treasure, his strength exceeded that of most captains.
The only concern was his mentality, which failed to match his power.
Ginrei had likened Kōga to a child playing with swords and imposed strict restrictions, hoping to eventually correct his mindset and shape him into a true warrior.
However, Ginrei's influence was no longer enough to keep the talented man in check.
Recognizing this, he had sought Genryūsai's help. After discussion, they established a special unit within the 1st Division to eliminate remaining rebels while allowing the old man to guide and supervise Kōga.
After all, Genryūsai's teaching ability was renowned. Though his students had their flaws, they had never strayed from the right path.
Hearing this, Akira nearly burst out laughing.
"What do you mean 'flaws'? Senior Ukitake just told me that Senior Kyōraku got severely punished by Captain Unohana for harassing Fourth Division members — he even had to ask Senior Ukitake to treat him!"
"And what kind of respectable person frequents the pleasure district, running up tabs with courtesans and publishing his romantic adventures in the 'Seireitei Communication' under that flirtatious title 'The Rose-Colored Path'..."
Bang!!
A heavy punch silenced the speaker, who promptly knelt down, suddenly attentive to the old man's words.
Genryūsai glanced irritably at his foolish disciple.
With that attitude, he had the audacity to criticize his senior. Throughout his teaching career, Genryūsai had never encountered a disciple like Akira who could raise his blood pressure so effortlessly.
"Where was I?"
"Your teaching ability is exemplary and outstanding."
Genryūsai nodded and continued, "Since Captain Kuchiki has placed his trust in me by allowing Kōga Kuchiki to join the First Division for further training, I won't disappoint him. If we can improve his mentality and help him achieve perfect control over his power, the Gotei 13 will gain a valuable pillar of strength."
He was optimistic about this win-win situation.
After all, Kōga hadn't done anything wrong. He had consistently followed his superiors' orders, even if he occasionally overstepped his bounds.
Akira sighed deeply and remarked, "Indeed, not everyone can be like me, blessed with both power and wisdom. Even genius has its limits."
Resisting the urge to strike his impudent disciple again, Genryūsai changed the subject, "You mentioned finding a solution for Ukitake's illness — have you made any progress?"
"A little, but not much." Akira said seriously, "The specific situation needs specific analysis. With both A and B having failed, we can only hope for C, and if that doesn't work, we'll try D."
Such vague talk gave Genryūsai a headache.
Yet his insight told him that Akira wasn't entirely without confidence. That being the case, he might as well let the fellow proceed as he wished.
After all, things couldn't get worse than they were now. Seeing Jūshirō so sickly every day pained his old heart.
"Yamamoto..."
"Hmm!?"
"Teacher!" Akira's tone grew serious, "About that problem child — please don't let your guard down. With his immature mentality, even the slightest carelessness could lead to disaster."
Genryūsai nodded, unusually offering no contradiction.
Seeing that he understood, Akira bid farewell to the 1st Division and returned to the 2nd Division to continue exploiting his unfortunate employee.
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Kisuke's mental state had been rather unstable lately.
The mountain of pressure made it hard for him to breathe. As a harmless low-ranking officer who had always been careful about his workplace slacking — which even his superior had overlooked — he felt overwhelmed.
But then a brutish 3rd Seat from the 11th Division had stripped away his comfortable routine, using his freedom as leverage to pile on endless work.
What made it worse was that this 3rd Seat was practically joined at the hip with his Captain — his words carried the same authority as direct orders from above.
His blissful life of minimal effort had come to an abrupt end.
Whenever he dwelled on this, Kisuke would tear up, mourning his lost paradise.
"Urahara, I'm here to see you!"
At the devil's knock, Kisuke shuddered, setting aside his research to open the door.
Akira strode in purposefully, inspecting the humming research equipment throughout the room. These instruments had been borrowed from various noble families' warehouses.
The nobles had eagerly given away the equipment without charge when they heard of his interest, even arranging delivery to his specified location.
Akira had allocated one-third to Kisuke, sending the remaining two-thirds to the 11th Division.
Aizen's side had plenty of equipment now. After nightfall, when no one was around, he would transfer this equipment to his secret laboratory in Rukongai — or perhaps establish a new one in the 11th Division.
It was puzzling why the nobles would amass so much research equipment when they couldn't even comprehend the instruction manuals.
"Third Seat Kisaragi, the plan you mentioned is nearly complete." Kisuke explained, "The only remaining issue is that before organ replacement, we need to measure the subject's physical data and Reiatsu state. I haven't asked yet — who needs the organ replacement?"
Akira acknowledged with a grunt, turning from the array of instruments, "My senior, the Captain of the Thirteenth Division, Jūshirō Ukitake."
Jūshirō's serious illness was common knowledge in the Seireitei. As a junior, helping resolve his senior's problems was only natural, nothing to hide.
Kisuke nodded — it was as he had suspected.
"Let's set the surgery location at the Fourth Division." Akira concluded, "You can discuss the specifics directly with Captain Unohana. I'll handle bringing the patient."
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4th Division, Coordinated Relief Station
Operating Room One.
Jūshirō Ukitake lay nervously on the operating table as an unfamiliar person took various measurements of his physical data.
Shortly after, Kisuke, wearing a white coat, looked up and said gravely, "Captain Ukitake, there's no need to be so nervous. Even if the surgery fails, we have backup measures."
At this less-than-reassuring comment, Jūshirō managed a forced smile.
Just yesterday, his junior had claimed he could cure his illness, and trusting him, Jūshirō had followed him to the medical center.
As the anesthetic entered his system, Jūshirō's consciousness began to fade until he slipped into a deep sleep.
Everyone in the operating room turned their attention to Akira.
He had changed into elaborate shrine priest's attire.
Tea cup, ritual wand, bell, incense, and altar — the sterile operating room had been transformed into a ritual site.
{T/N: No way he's fucking doing it…}
Reiatsu surged and swirled around him.
Akira and Unohana exchanged glances, and after a confirming nod, they began the ritual ceremony.
"In the name of the Shrine Priest, Akira Kisaragi, I summon the One-Eyed Great Deity Mimihagi..."
A series of ritual incantations echoed through the room as familiar Reiatsu waves flowed from the Sakahone Shrine, channeling through the ritual items. The Divine Eye's power descended upon the 4th Division!
Hum—
The air trembled as tiny shadows seeped from the flickering candlelight, branching endlessly until they covered the entire operating room.
"Release the Divine Eye power hidden within the shrine."
The dense branches intertwined and merged, forming the shadowy image of Mimihagi, its single eye gazing upon mortals with detached emotion.
Although Akira had discussed the procedure with her beforehand, Unohana was still shocked by this incredible scene.
Despite her vast experience and having witnessed many legendary events, this was the first time she had seen someone casually perform a ritual and summon a deity.
Under his direction, the Divine Eye power hidden within Jūshirō's body was completely withdrawn, and his lungs began to deteriorate rapidly.
Unohana, maintaining her professional composure despite her astonishment, proceeded with precise surgical movements. With practiced efficiency, she made careful incisions to access his chest cavity, methodically removed the deteriorated lung tissue that had plagued him for so long, and skillfully implanted the healthy replacement organs, ensuring proper connection to all vital systems.
As Jūshirō's breathing gradually stabilized, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.
When he awakened from his slumber and slowly opened his eyes, Akira's grinning face came into view.
"You're awake, the surgery was a complete success! You can now join the Shinigami Women's Association!"
Jūshirō: "???"
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
West Rukongai, 63rd District.
Among the mountains and forests, a scene of hellish despair unfolded. The air filled with sounds of killing, screaming, wailing, and cursing.
Dozens of black figures darted through the forest — now transformed into a final battlefield — as waves of mixed Reiatsu poured forth.
Brilliant Kidō light pierced the sky while howling winds devoured everything in their path. Intense flames raged through the rolling dust as scorching air surged upward. Most striking of all was a pillar of indigo Reiatsu shooting into the heavens.
A cold blade swept across an enemy's neck, instantly ending the life of a rebel Shinigami.
As the leader of this war, Kōga Kuchiki operated without constraints, free to use any means necessary to destroy the enemies before him.
Yet his mood was dark, poisoned by the numerous "rumors" circulating among the Seireitei's Officers about him and the Kuchiki family.
The once-naive Kōga had believed that wholehearted devotion to the Kuchiki family would earn him acceptance as one of their own. For this, he had willingly fought on the most dangerous frontlines.
But despite all his efforts, he still couldn't gain Ginrei's approval — his nominal father-in-law was even actively guarding against him.
They claimed his promotion to the 1st Division was for his own good. Even the Captain-Commander's creation of a special unit with Kōga as Captain was presented as a favor.
In reality, it was a promotion in name but a demotion in practice — the so-called special unit merely existed to eliminate rebels.
Once all rebels were eliminated, his position as Captain would become worthless. What fate would await him then?
At this thought, savage fury flashed in Kōga's eyes as he cleaved the rebel Shinigami before him in two, blood spraying wildly, painting him in the visage of a demon.
"Whisper…"
⤫ Shikai: Muramasa ⥤ Initial Release: Village-Just! ⤬
A savage roar echoed across the battlefield as indigo Reiatsu erupted into a pillar of light, instantly blanketing the entire area.
Kōga unleashed his fury upon the rebels.
In an unnoticed corner of the battlefield, a pair of dark green eyes watched like a venomous snake, fixed on the massive Reiatsu engulfing the area.
A faint light emerged from the darkness. With an almost imperceptible release command, rainbow-like magical light spread outward, dissolving into the chaos.
Lost in his rampage, Kōga remained oblivious until the brilliant light enveloped him too.
For a moment, his vision blurred before snapping back to normal. To his surprise, the number of enemies before him seemed to have multiplied.
"Even the intelligence they provided was wrong..." Kōga snarled through gritted teeth, "Die, all of you die!"
At his roar, his terrifying Reiatsu transformed into a hurricane, sweeping everything in its path. The fighting Shinigami watched in horror as their Zanpakutō turned against them, their blades suddenly slashing toward their own vital points.
There was no time to dodge or even react. Dozens of heads flew skyward, and an eerie silence fell over the battlefield.
When it was over, Kōga's pupils constricted as he stared at the corpse-strewn battlefield...
⤫⤬⤫
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