Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

11th Division Training Grounds.

Two figures clashed in fierce combat on the spacious grounds, sparks flying from their steel blades as blood spattered without mercy.

Ever since the 11th Division's members had returned from their promotional duties, such scenes had become daily occurrences.

At first, Kisuke would try to intervene, speaking from his position as Lieutenant to look after the division members.

But once he realized this was simply the 11th Division's way, he stopped bothering. Rather than worry about their safety, he decided to focus on appeasing his Captain.

Of all his assigned tasks, he'd only managed to create a folder. If this continued, he feared facing disciplinary action under squad regulations.

Just thinking about it filled Kisuke with urgency as time slipped away.

Though 11th Division's members appeared to fight without restraint, they actually maintained careful control, choosing their strike angles to avoid fatal wounds. During every sparring session, 4th Division Seated Officers stood ready to provide emergency treatment.

Even after a full day of fighting, no serious incidents occurred.

The division's combat training encompassed sword fighting, Hakuda, wrestling matches, and tests of strength. Across multiple training grounds, sweat-drenched figures battled while thunderous cheers erupted from the barracks whenever someone fell.

After centuries of evolution, the 11th Division's culture stood firmly established.

They revered martial prowess, with strength commanding respect. While other squads had similar customs, none displayed it as openly as the 11th Division. Here, strength meant status — and the weak couldn't even get a hot dog.

In the midst of this heated training, an unexpected visitor's arrival disrupted the barracks' atmosphere.

A powerful Reiatsu swept through, blanketing the entire barracks. Everyone froze — even the tangled wrestlers separated and turned toward the source of the power.

At the barracks entrance, a mountainous figure stood on the grass, his rough black skin making him look like a tower from afar. His fierce face resembled a beast's, thick hair covering him everywhere, his exposed chest pitch black like an oversized black bear.

Even ignoring his overwhelming Reiatsu, his mere presence was imposing enough to make it difficult to breathe in his vicinity.

Though the 11th Division was known for valuing strength and recruiting powerful fighters, these muscular warriors looked like mere children next to this bear-like humanoid who towered over three meters tall.

"Shinigami, I hear the Eleventh Division's Captain selection process is quite straightforward — kill the current Captain and you become the new one." The bear-like man's fanged grin and fierce aura sent chills through the air.

The Shinigami's faces darkened as they grasped his intention.

The 11th Division's unique culture and Captain selection process had long attracted challengers from the Rukongai. Many veteran Shinigami remembered similar scenes during Kuruyashiki's time.

Yet these challengers invariably met grim fates — a natural consequence of their actions.

Would the new Captain now face such a challenge?

"So where is your Captain?! Tell him to get out here!"

His words transformed into a thunderous roar, sending visible sound waves rippling in all directions.

The 11th Division members' faces showed genuine shock — this challenger's strength far exceeded their expectations.

"My apologies, sir, but the Captain is not currently in the barracks." A muscular man pushed through the crowd and approached the bear-like figure, "If you're not in a hurry, you could wait here for a while."

His words sparked immediate outrage from the crowd:

"Hey hey, Third Seat Iba, why are you wasting words on this guy!"

"That's right, not just anyone qualifies to challenge Lord Magistrate!"

"This level of trash doesn't even deserve to take a bite of a hot dog!"

Though Akira's captaincy was still fresh, and he had barely begun managing division affairs, the 11th Division members had revered him since his days as 3rd Seat.

He had achieved what no Captain before him had done — fighting the entire division without breaking a sweat. This feat, combined with his stellar record since graduation, had transformed the Shinigami's admiration into near-fanatical devotion. While supposedly promoting their shrine in the Rukongai, they spent most of their time praising their Captain's invincible martial prowess.

So when this bear-like intruder spoke disrespectfully of their Captain, their displeasure was inevitable.

"Hmm?" Hearing the mockery from the crowd, the bear-like man's gaze turned hostile, and he immediately raised his huge hand, reaching directly toward the source of the voices.

The massive Reiatsu made it hard to breathe.

Tetsuzaemon's eyes narrowed slightly as he released his own Reiatsu, stepping forward to counter the mountain-like pressure.

{T/N: Tetsuzaemon was transferred to the 11th Division in this fanfic during one of the Captain's Councils, I just don't remember which chapter.}

"Friend, if you continue to attack our division members, I'll have to consider this a declaration of war against the Eleventh Division."

Hearing this, the bear-like man let out a contemptuous laugh and struck forward with his clenched fist.

Tetsuzaemon's expression hardened as he drew his sword and attacked without hesitation.

Clang!

The hammer-like fist, wrapped in heavy Reiatsu, crashed against the incoming blade with the sound of clashing metal.

Feeling the terrible force through his Zanpakutō, Tetsuzaemon's eyes widened as he quickly switched to a two-handed grip.

No wonder this intruder dared challenge the 11th Division — his Reiatsu alone rivaled that of an ordinary Captain. Combined with his naturally powerful body, he might even qualify for a Captain position in another division.

Gritting his teeth, Tetsuzaemon roared, "Ohhh, as a man, I won't give up so easily!"

Wild Reiatsu erupted as his fighting spirit peaked, his muscles bulging and veins protruding as he channeled all his power into the blade.

But just as he prepared to clash head-on, the bear-like man produced a long-handled war hammer and, with a vicious grin, swung it mercilessly at Tetsuzaemon.

By the time he noticed, it was too late.

BOOM!

Tetsuzaemon went flying backward, crashing through the barracks as dust clouds billowed and buildings collapsed into ruins.

"Is this all a Third Seat amounts to?" The bear-like man laughed contemptuously, "You couldn't even withstand a single strike from me. It seems your Captain can't be that strong either."

His dark face showed no shame as he spoke, acting as if he hadn't just launched a sneak attack.

Despite engaging in face-to-face combat, he had secretly released his Zanpakutō and struck from behind — truly despicable tactics.

"Since your Captain won't show up, I'll just warm up with you lot first." The bear-like man swung his war hammer, smashing it into the ground.

With a thunderous boom, the ground split open, countless fissures spreading through the grass.

Like an earthquake, the earth collapsed instantly as buildings tumbled down, stirring up clouds of dust.

Looking at the ruins before him, the bear-like man's face lit up with excitement, his expression growing more fierce. Even back in Rukongai, he had always relished hearing the agonized screams of the weak under his iron hammer.

Just as he was about to strike again, a voice rang out from behind.

"Making a mess while the master is away — how truly despicable."

The bear-like man's eyes flashed dangerously. Without a word, his massive frame twisted as he transferred the long-handled war hammer from his left hand to his right, violently swinging it toward the voice.

BOOM!!

Another explosive sound rang out as rolling clouds of dust surged upward.

As the dust settled, the bear-like man's pupils contracted in disbelief.

A young man stood there, his right hand open, effortlessly catching the hammer's impact. The millstone-sized weapon formed a stark contrast against his palm.

"It's Captain Kisaragi!"

"Fool, address him as Lord Magistrate!"

"We apologize, Lord Magistrate, we failed to protect the barracks!"

Upon seeing the young man, the Shinigami erupted in cheers while others bowed in apology, their reactions varied.

Akira waved it off, unconcerned.

The giant before him was formidable — ordinary division members or Seated Officers were no match for him. Even his released Reiatsu nearly rivaled Rōjūrō's.

Without question, he was another Captain-level fighter.

"Are you the Eleventh Division's captain?" The bear-like man's question rumbled like thunder.

After a moment's consideration, Akira nodded, "That's right, I am. What can I do for you?"

A fierce grin spread across that dark face, "That means if I kill you, I can become the new Captain. Kid, remember my name — the Ultimate Evil of Rukongai, Tosuke Kitanjō!"

Akira: "…"

This guy was the evolved and original version of the frail Gosuke, but with another mother?

As his words faded, the war hammer rose high, gathering power before smashing downward. His stance treated Akira like a nail to be hammered.

BOOM, BOOM, BOOM!!

The savage strikes rained down, splitting the ground with fierce cracks. Dust clouds billowed up, gradually obscuring both figures. The iron hammer tore through the air, leaving afterimages and rolling thunder in its wake.

Tosuke's expression reached the peak of ferocity, certain each blow had struck true. With his Reiatsu and strength, even the strongest Shinigami couldn't withstand such an assault.

The Captain position was surely his!

The ground continued sinking, forming a massive crater shrouded in smoke and dust.

Yet when the dust cleared, Tosuke froze — the young man before him stood not only unharmed but without even a speck of dust on his clothes.

Looking up at the dark face now tinged with fear, Akira revealed a mocking smile.

"Is that all?"

Those calm words struck like arrows to the heart, shattering Tosuke's composure. He let out a violent roar as thick Reiatsu wrapped around his war hammer, countless spikes sprouting from its surface.

A terrifying shadow covered Akira's head, falling straight down.

BOOM!

White energy burst from both his shoulders, dispersing his upper Shihakushō.

Watching the incoming giant hammer, Akira drew back his right arm, gathering Kidō power into a blazing torrent that erupted from his shoulder, generating thrust like a rocket engine. His fist broke through the air, accelerating to impossible speed.

As he threw a straight punch forward, his hardened fist, under countless shocked gazes, landed squarely on the spike-covered war hammer.

Then came a deep, muffled sound.

BANG!

A slight resistance transmitted through his knuckles, followed by what felt like a bubble popping, triggering another explosive boom at the point of collision.

The giant hammer collapsed like a deflating ball. Terror filled Tosuke's ugly face as he watched the peerless fist approach and strike his abdomen.

Before he could even scream in agony, his massive frame distorted under the savage force. Centered on the point of impact, a depression spread outward, raising rippling waves as his flesh, wrapped in Reiatsu, instantly disintegrated into a mist of blood.

Tosuke, trailing a crimson arc, smashed through dozens of walls before vanishing completely into the ruins.

Witnessing such an extreme battle, the barracks fell silent for just a moment before erupting in thunderous cheers.

"As expected of Lord Magistrate, so powerful, so powerful indeed!"

"Supreme Commander Magistrate, we adore you!"

"My lord, we would gladly fight to the death for you!!"

This lively scene made Kisuke, who had been watching from the corner, want to cry.

How much time had passed? The person who could easily defeat him before could now tear apart Zanpakutō with bare hands?!

Was this person really a Shinigami?

The gap between them had grown unbearably wide. At this rate, there was no hope of escaping the exploitation...

Just as he was silently weeping, a spine-chilling voice suddenly appeared behind him.

"Say, Kisuke. How's that task I assigned you coming along?"

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