Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

The Zanpakutō spun through the air before embedding itself in a nearby rock, leaving even Zaraki taken aback.

Throwing away his sword? Could this be some new technique?

Or had he been away from fighting Shinigami for so long that he'd lost touch with their ways?

While the giant pondered these questions, Akira had already charged in with iron fists raised.

With no time to dodge, a Hakuda strike more brutal than any sword technique crashed against the serrated blade. As the inheritor of the Genryū Style, Akira didn't exploit his opponent's weakness — instead, he chose to challenge Zaraki's strength with his own apparent vulnerability.

Bare fists against a sword.

Surely Zaraki couldn't complain if he was beaten this way? After all, he'd wanted a fight, not a formal sword duel like with Unohana.

Clang—BOOM!

Under Zaraki's shocked gaze, as fist met blade, the sound of metal striking metal echoed through the forest, sending chills down one's spine.

The powerful impact sent Zaraki's towering frame flying. His two-meter-tall figure spun through the air before crashing heavily into the ground, creating a deep, spread-eagle crater.

Dust billowed!

The crowd erupted in cheers, with Shinigami celebrating their Captain's victory.

"Well done, Lord Magistrate!"

"Powerful! Dominant! Strong! Invincible!"

"As expected of the one we chose to follow, now this is the real Kenpachi!"

"Kenpachi? More like Kenpunch!"

Shunsui covered his face with his hand, letting out a long, helpless sigh.

As expected, things had taken another bizarre turn. His young brother disciple possessed remarkable talent, excelling in Zanjutsu, Hakuda, and Kidō alike.

Genryūsai had praised him in private more than once. If not for concerns about inflating the young man's ego, he would have offered direct praise long ago.

Yet here lay the mystery — why would someone so versatile particularly favor Hakuda? Was it truly, as he claimed, that trading blows represented the purest expression of masculine combat?

Sajin's jaw twitched, his fangs aching and fur bristling as if electrified.

Only now did he recall his own foolish challenge to this 'Lord Magistrate.' He ought to be grateful for the mercy shown — otherwise, he might have ended up in Zaraki's sorry state.

Following such a reasonable and considerate leader who cared for his subordinates' wellbeing seemed increasingly appealing. Better still, none of these Shinigami regarded him with suspicion.

Perhaps the 11th Division truly was where he belonged!

Everyone had their own thoughts, especially Zaraki.

Who am I? Where am I? What am I doing?!

After that punch, his already dim thoughts grew even hazier.

Yet he quickly regained his senses, laughing maniacally as he charged forward once more. Golden Reiatsu wrapped around his wounded body like raging flames, leaving a scorched trail in his wake.

Watching him charge like an unstoppable cockroach, Akira's mouth twisted into a smirk. White energy burst from his shoulder blades like rocket engines, while deep purple flames ignited around his fists, distorting the surrounding air with their heat.

Zaraki grinned savagely, bringing down his serrated blade. The air split with an overloaded tear, shock waves parting along both sides of the blade.

"Haha, die!"

⤫ Shunkō: Kaen Tosshin Ken ⥤ Flash War Cry: Flame Rush Fist ⤬

Both warriors let out fierce battle cries as they clashed before the watching crowd.

Fist pierced through air as blade slashed downward. A thunderous impact erupted skyward, sending shock waves exploding in all directions.

Zaraki felt an unstoppable force surge through his serrated blade, followed by the shriek of metal pushed beyond its limits — like an overstretched bowstring snapping in two.

The remaining force of the fist struck his chest, producing a sharp crack as bones shattered and his chest cavity collapsed.

Coughing blood, his massive frame once again went airborne. His two-meter-tall figure spun through the air before crashing down, deepening the previous crater.

"Yay, little Ken can fly!"

The pink-haired girl perched on Sajin's shoulder let out an inappropriate cheer, drawing many startled looks. A single question rose in everyone's minds.

Whose side are you on exactly?

Even Sajin couldn't help but give her a questioning glance.

But since the pink-haired girl meant no harm, and there was no true enmity between the sides, he didn't mind her uninvited perch on his shoulder. He was kind-hearted by nature, after all.

Picking up the broken sword from the ground, Akira tossed it to the watching Shunsui.

For someone like Zaraki, whose mind held nothing but combat, the battle wouldn't end until unconsciousness claimed him.

Fortunately, Akira knew exactly how to handle stubborn opponents.

"Men, tie him up!"

At his command, several large men rushed from the crowd, producing ropes from their pockets and swiftly binding him. Others felled a nearby tree, fashioned it into a stretcher, and secured the unconscious Zaraki to it.

Wrapped up like a dumpling...

The pink-haired girl cheered again, hopping down from Sajin's shoulder to perch atop Zaraki, heedless of his injuries.

Akira studied her thoughtfully.

Yachiru Kusajishi, Zaraki's adopted daughter and his Zanpakutō Spirit — she was the sword he had just punched in half, Nozarashi.

{T/N: A shock to me too. Wiki: Yachiru is in fact an aspect of Nozarashi (specifically Nozarashi's Bankai), whose true Spirit is an adult woman in appearance; Yachiru gained Shinigami-esque powers due to Zaraki naming her as one. Her relationship with Nozarashi is comparable to Tensa Zangetsu and Zangetsu's relationship.}

From her expression, she didn't seem troubled by what had transpired.

The pink-haired girl possessed an innate ability to sense people's true nature, easily distinguishing those with ill intent. This explained her friendly attitude toward the gathered Shinigami — she already knew she would be living among them.

When it came to intelligence, this manifested Spirit far surpassed her master.

"My minions, this expedition has been quite fruitful." Akira raised his arm, "Let's head back!"

"Yo!"

Everyone responded with an earth-shaking cheer, Yachiru joining in, clearly already considering herself part of the 11th Division.

Shunsui shook his head with a smile as he followed at the rear.

Sajin hesitated briefly before taking large strides to join them. Being among these straightforward people put both body and mind at ease.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

The main force of the 11th Division returned triumphantly.

Most Shinigami of the Gotei 13 barely reacted to the news.

After all, the 11th Division under Akira Kisaragi had become legendary for its invincibility.

Having already crushed rebels and bandits across the realm, what challenge could stop them? Their Captain was bold enough to face Captain-Commander Yamamoto himself.

For such an elite unit, failure was never even considered.

Rather than returning to their barracks, the Shinigami carried their critically wounded prize — Kenpachi Zaraki — straight to the 4th Division's Coordinated Relief Station.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Captain's Office.

Unohana was handling her daily duties when a Shinigami burst in with a report.

"Captain, Captain Kisaragi has brought back a critically wounded wanderer. He's in intensive care now, with Lieutenant Yamada overseeing the treatment."

Unohana looked up at the reporting Shinigami with surprise.

For Akira to bring back a wanderer alive was truly unexpected. In his battles, enemies were typically buried where they fell.

Intrigued, she set down her brush and followed her subordinate to investigate.

When she saw the patient, however, Unohana froze. She recognized him immediately.

Without a word, she pulled Akira aside to question him.

"He says his name is Kenpachi Zaraki." Akira scratched his head, "Actually, he was my first target when I went searching for strong subordinates. Wanko's help made it much easier."

Unohana gazed steadily into the young man's eyes, suspecting he knew about past events and was attempting to alter destiny.

"Akira, I wonder exactly what you know?" She asked softly, a gentle smile gracing her delicate face.

Akira rubbed his chin thoughtfully, "I know a little bit of everything, I suppose."

Though often dense, he could be reliable when it mattered. While the details were hazy, he knew with certainty that Unohana would die by Zaraki's hands.

To prevent this fate, he decided he needed to be like a butterfly — one whose wings would deliver two firm slaps to destiny's face.

Hearing this, Unohana drew a deep breath, her flowing haori and uniform failing to hide her graceful figure. After a moment's contemplation, she decided someone needed a lesson.

The title of Kenpachi wasn't something to be tampered with so casually. Only one could exist in an era — this was immutable law.

The 11th Division members watched as their Captain was led away by the gentle woman, straight to the training grounds behind the 4th Division.

Curiosity drew everyone to follow.

What they witnessed defied belief. Battle scenes of impossible intensity unfolded before them, with Reiatsu so violent and wild it threatened to tear the sky asunder.

Even the usually cheerful Shunsui couldn't hide his shock, noting that the old generation truly lived up to its reputation. Their Reiatsu alone surpassed his own, to say nothing of their combat experience.

Though he believed he had fought in more battles than most Captains, Shunsui knew he still fell short compared to the woman currently thrashing his little brother disciple.

After an intense battle, the invincible 11th Division Captain, Head Priest of the Sakahone Shrine, heir to the Genryū Style, and Soul Society's greatest networker, lay prostrate on the ground, unable to rise.

"What? Impossible!"

"That woman brought down the Great Commander Kisaragi, could she be..."

"No way, I don't want to see this!"

Hearing the hysterical wailing, Shunsui's mouth twitched — his little brother disciple had truly corrupted the 11th Division.

They were all supposed to be tough guys...

Looking at the young man lying defeated on the ground, Unohana could only sigh helplessly.

She wasn't truly angry, merely annoyed at the young man's presumption. Yet even beaten black and blue, his unwavering conviction made her heart falter.

Thinking back to their daily sword training sessions, her once-firm convictions began to waver. The clear path ahead had become shrouded in mist.

Perhaps, she could try?

Unohana left with uncertainty clouding her thoughts.

As her graceful figure disappeared from view, Akira sprang up with a kip-up.

"Hmph, with this strategist's clever ruse of playing injured, that fierce woman can be led around by the nose! Behold my world-shocking wisdom!"

Seeing this, Shunsui's mouth twitched as he warned, "Little brother, you'd better report to the First Division. Otherwise, Yama-jii might come looking for you with Ryūjin Jakka..."

He might not understand much about wisdom, but he knew one thing — if Akira kept playing these games, he was in for a shock.

Besides, to withstand Unohana's violent assault and remain so energetic — this guy's hide was impossibly tough.

Even a Vasto Lorde Hollow couldn't manage that, right?

At this rate, Shunsui wondered if even Genryūsai's sword could cut this junior.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

1st Division Barracks.

"Absolutely ridiculous!"

A thunderous roar of anger shook the room, threatening to blow the roof off — quite unbefitting someone who had lived for thousands of years.

The force of his voice even surpassed that of Shunsui and Jūshirō.

Before an enraged Genryūsai, even someone as powerful as Akira had to yield. Like an ostrich sensing danger, he could only bury his head in the sand.

"As Captain of the Eleventh Division, you not only abandoned your post without permission but also mobilized hundreds of Shinigami officers. During the time of Central 46, such actions would have been considered treason!"

Despite the dear priest's explanations, the old man's fury remained unabated.

"But Central 46 is gone now!" Akira muttered under his breath, "The First Division holds the power now, and unused authority goes to waste!"

At this, Genryūsai was left speechless.

⤫⤬⤫

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