Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

The moment he heard the demonic whisper, Kisuke felt his hair stand on end. Electricity seemed to course through his spine as his entire back and scalp tingled with horror. He nearly drew Benihime to strike behind him.

At the crucial moment, however, he forcefully suppressed this instinct.

Whether he could kill him wasn't the point. Kisuke knew that if he dared to draw his sword, Akira would drag him to the 11th Division's fighting arena.

"Captain, you've grown even stronger. That battle just now was nothing short of overwhelming. At this rate, in a few years even Captain-Commander Yamamoto won't be your match." He wrung his hands nervously, his expression full of flattery.

The praise flowed endlessly as he extolled his Captain's greatness — his invincible combat prowess, astounding wisdom, universal charisma...

Only when his mouth had gone dry did Akira finally give a casual nod.

"Though you have many flaws, you do have some redeeming qualities. You have good judgment and you're honest."

Kisuke: "..."

"However, tasks that need to be done must still be completed." Akira smiled darkly, placing a hand on his shoulder, "After all this time, don't tell me the file system still isn't ready."

Kisuke shuddered, hurriedly forcing an awkward smile, "How could that be? The plans are definitely ready. The only issue is manpower shortage. You know our division's situation better than I do, Captain. Fighting might not be a problem, but building a high-tech barracks is delicate work. These brutes can't handle it."

Hearing this, Akira fell into thought.

Though the excuse was far-fetched, it was somewhat reasonable. Building an entire barracks while relying on this toolman alone would indeed be difficult.

He looked over at the men cleaning up the ruins, pondering to himself.

In the vast 11th Division, having only himself and Kisuke as strategists was inadequate. Since taking over the 11th Division, he was determined to make it the most perfect division.

For future promotional tasks, he could save some effort too. Most importantly, when it came time to overturn heaven's law, having a strong corps under his command would give him more confidence.

So the question was: Where could he find satisfactory capable deputies?

Seeing Akira lost in thought, Kisuke took tiny steps backward, retreating silently without making a sound, even keeping his Reiatsu at its lowest.

However, just as he thought he had successfully escaped, a large hand suddenly gripped the back of his neck — his fate.

The force was so great that Kisuke had an illusion: if this hand applied just a little more pressure, he would be decapitated.

{T/N: Caught the chicken's neck.}

"Kisuke, don't rush off, I still have a question to ask."

The demonic whisper continued its effect, making his face instantly fall.

"What can I do for you?"

"Tell me, besides you, is there anyone else in Soul Society whose wisdom is second only to mine?"

Kisuke: "?"

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In the end, even Urahara's renowned intellect failed him, as this simple question left his mind completely blank. No matter how hard he pondered, he couldn't formulate an answer.

Now, they had to pin their hopes on Aizen.

Aizen wasn't in the 12th Division laboratory, so Akira hurried to the secret laboratory newly built in West Rukongai's 1st District.

The 80th District of East Rukongai had proven too distant. After Akira's persistent protests, Aizen had reluctantly established a branch laboratory. However, finding a suitable hidden location in the bustling Junrinan District had proved challenging.

Until the shrine was built...

At the gentle Head Priest's suggestion, they constructed their secret base beneath the shrine — known only to the two of them.

Soon after, Akira began treating it like his personal home, frequently visiting the laboratory to help himself to food and drinks.

That day, Aizen returned to the laboratory exhausted in body and mind after completing Kirio Hikifune's research task. What he saw made his blood run cold.

Akira was hunched over the control panel, examining the complex equipment and instruments with intense fascination.

As Akira's hand reached toward the central research specimen, Aizen covered his face in horror, his heart freezing.

He had finally reached the laboratory-destroying stage...

Before Aizen could intervene, Soul Society's most notorious troublemaker halted his finger at the last possible moment, hovering just a hair's breadth from the research specimen.

"Hey, were you scared?" Akira grinned, "Sōsuke, you underestimate me too much. How could I be someone who disrespects others' hard work?"

Under his friend's anxious gaze, he withdrew his hand.

Seeing this, Aizen breathed a sigh of relief, though his heart still skipped a beat.

It was like having a Husky suddenly appear next to a model you'd worked tirelessly to complete — watching it circle your creation daily, examining it with restless eyes and an eager expression.

The constant anxiety was worse than if it had simply destroyed everything outright.

"What are you here for?" Aizen asked irritably, "We have enough experimental materials with #0 lately — we're not going to Hueco Mundo for now."

He strongly suspected Akira had been beaten up by the Captain-Commander again and wanted to visit Hueco Mundo to blow off steam fighting Menos.

But Hueco Mundo wasn't this man's private training ground. Too many visits could lead to unpredictable consequences.

Aizen had never once doubted Akira's talent for causing trouble.

Akira waved his hand dismissively, sprawling back onto the soft sofa in an utterly undignified pose.

"These past few days I've been in sage mode — not interested in Hueco Mundo. I just came to ask if you'd like to meet a like-minded friend."

Aizen frowned slightly, considering, "Kisuke Urahara?"

Akira gave him an incredulous look.

Had everyone learned mind-reading techniques? The answer came before he'd even finished speaking!

Could they still be proper friends?

"There's no such outrageous ability as mind-reading." Aizen explained calmly, "Even Kōga's Muramasa can only read others' memories."

Akira: "?"

And you still claim you haven't learned mind-reading?!

Too weary to continue explaining, Aizen thought for a moment before nodding, "Meeting would be fine."

Under the priest's matchmaking, the two great intellectuals of Soul Society, second only to him in wisdom, formally met at the 11th Division.

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"Uh, have you eaten?"

"No."

"Want to get something to eat?"

"Sure."

The awkward exchange made Akira question both their intellects for a moment.

Fortunately, once they got past the initial pleasantries, the two began discussing scientific matters.

Their first topic was the creation of the 11th Division's tech barracks.

After Gosuke's uglier big brother had reduced most of the Division's buildings to ruins, it seemed the perfect time to construct a new framework. The high-tech features could be added later.

Most urgently, they needed to build the Captain's Quarters — Kisuke was desperate to end the late-night visits from a certain someone.

Night after night, he'd been jolted awake at 3 AM by the declaration "if I'm not sleeping, Kisuke shouldn't sleep either", then dragged from his bed to hear increasingly outlandish demands about the barracks construction.

The requests had escalated from gravity rooms to healing chambers, then horror forests and mental time chambers. Each new demand made the previous ones seem almost sensible by comparison.

At this rate, Kisuke doubted he'd survive until next month!

As they were deep in discussion, Tetsuzaemon appeared and surveyed the room.

"Lord Magistrate, there's a visitor outside."

Akira, who had been drowsily listening with pins and needles in his backside, immediately jumped up and hurried out with the 3rd Seat.

Watching him leave, Kisuke exhaled in relief. Being in the same room as Akira was nerve-wracking — who knew what impossible request might come next?

"Mr. Urahara, I heard from Akira that your Zanpakutō has multiple different Shikai abilities. Is this true?" Aizen asked with a gentle smile.

"Ah, yes, that's correct. Benihime has many abilities. Though similar in power, each serves a different purpose in combat." When speaking about his Zanpakutō, Kisuke became notably more animated.

His affection for Benihime surpassed that of ordinary Shinigami — he even referred to his blade as "her."

"Such Zanpakutō are quite rare in Soul Society." Aizen said, his curiosity evident, "Would you mind demonstrating? I've been researching Zanpakutō-related topics lately."

After a moment's consideration, Kisuke nodded.

His previous battle with Akira had already revealed Benihime's abilities to many in the 2nd Division, so there was little point in secrecy.

Besides, in their brief conversation, Aizen had proven to be remarkably gentle — though Kisuke couldn't fathom how such a person had become associated with someone like Akira.

Still, their discussion had been pleasant, and considering their upcoming collaboration on the barracks construction, Kisuke saw no reason to decline.

The two went to an intact dojo.

With all the 11th Division members outside clearing rubble, the space was perfectly quiet.

Kisuke began demonstrating Benihime's abilities to Aizen.

⤫ Nake, Benihime ⥤ Sing, Crimson Princess! ⤬

⤫ Chikasumi no Tate ⥤ Blood Mist Shield! ⤬

⤫ Kamisori, Benihime ⥤ Razor, Crimson Princess! ⤬

⤫ Tsuppane, Benihime ⥤ Spurning, Crimson Princess! ⤬

⤫ Shibari, Benihime ⥤ Crimson Princess of Binding! ⤬

⤫ Hiasobi, Benihime, Juzutsunagi ⥤ Fire-Playing Crimson Princess Beaded Mesh! ⤬

These six distinct yet interconnected Shikai abilities left Aizen visibly impressed.

"Mr. Urahara, would you like to see my Zanpakutō?" Aizen smiled.

Kisuke nodded.

Under his expectant gaze, Aizen took position at the dojo's center. He gripped his sword handle in reverse, pointing the blade downward, and calmly spoke the release command:

"Shatter…"

⤫ Shikai: Kyōka Suigetsu ⥤ Initial Release: Mirror Flower, Water Moon! ⤬

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Akira followed Tetsuzaemon to the outside of the barracks, where a figure waited quietly, leaning against the wall.

The man had dark skin, short purple hair, and closed eyes, with both hands gripping a Zanpakutō. His simple hemp clothing made him look more like a resident of Rukongai than a Shinigami.

"Lord Magistrate, this is him." Tetsuzaemon said respectfully, "He came knocking this morning, but due to the Tosuke Kitanjō incident, I didn't let him in. He seems to have something to tell you."

Sensing their presence, the blind man straightened up and slowly turned to "look" in their direction.

"Might you be Lord Kisaragi?" The man's voice was gentle, though tinged with excitement.

"Yes, that's right. What can I do for you?" Akira studied the man before him curiously.

Though his eyes couldn't see, he perceived everything around him through the flow of Reishi and changes in its density in the air.

A very talented individual. If he could become a Shinigami...

"I apologize — I almost forgot to introduce myself." The man smiled apologetically and bowed slightly, "I'm from Rukongai. My name is Kaname Tōsen, and I've come mainly to thank you."

Akira stared at the gentle-looking man before him with wide eyes, doubting his own ears.

Kaname Tōsen?

The future Captain of the 9th Division who had sworn to uphold justice in Soul Society in his own way, only to die tragically at the hands of a friend, Aizen's loyal subordinate?

"Thank me? Me?" Akira was bewildered, "We don't seem to have any connection, do we? If you're here because you received help from the Sakahone Shrine, you should thank the deity instead."

Kaname shook his head, "No, this has nothing to do with deities. I simply wish to repay your kindness. I wonder if you remember a scoundrel named Tokinada Tsunayashiro."

Through his narrative, Akira finally understood the situation.

Kaname once had a dear friend named Kakyō. They shared everything with each other, often discussing their ideals and views of the world under starlit skies.

Their relationship was as close as that between Akira and Aizen — true best friends.

Then one day, Kakyō told him about her upcoming marriage and that she would become a Shinigami.

Kaname gave her his most sincere blessings.

But when they next met, Kakyō lay lifeless in a cold coffin. Her murderer was none other than her husband, Tokinada Tsunayashiro.

Due to his noble status, Tokinada escaped justice. When Kaname tried appealing to Central 46, he was brutally beaten for daring to challenge someone of higher status. If Shunsui hadn't intervened, Kaname might have died that day.

This incident shattered Kaname's faith in Soul Society's system.

Then one day, surprising news spread through Rukongai.

Tokinada Tsunayashiro was dead, slain by a Shinigami named Akira Kisaragi. The mighty Tsunayashiro clan, one of the Five Great Noble Houses, had fallen below even the lesser nobles in status.

Having finished his tale, Kaname bowed deeply, "Lord Kisaragi, please allow me to repay this debt of gratitude."

Akira studied the earnest man before him, stroking his chin thoughtfully.

Could this be another example of his kingly charisma naturally drawing capable followers to him?

Kisuke was right — his charm had indeed reached the point where it affected everyone, regardless of age or gender...

I accept Sister Hana, my cat Yoruichi, and that shameless Senjumaru. Even the mother of Tetsuzaemon might have a chance with him.

But you... Don't get any strange ideas!

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