Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

The Dangai, Nexus of the Valley of Screams (Kyōgoku).

White rock walls rose layer upon layer toward the dark, gloomy sky. The crimson earth pulsed with a profound aura, as if steeped in endless blood.

In the Valley's center, a massive pillar of light pierced through heaven and earth. Countless spectral beings circled it as white essence drained from their forms, flowing into the pillar and merging together.

Through the haze, a jade bead hovered, its brilliant light flickering. As the white essence flowed into it, the spectral beings grew translucent and distorted. Each dissolved with a final, chaotic wail.

The image began to blur and distort. White patterns appeared on the screen, forming wave-like lines that shook violently. With a bang, the screen went black.

"What happens next?" Akira asked through a mouthful of popcorn, staring bewilderedly at Kisuke and Mayuri as they worked.

"The surveillance bug was discovered." Mayuri shrugged, his white-painted face showing resignation, "It's unavoidable — when the bugs transmit spirit waves, they produce strong signal fluctuations. No way to hide them from Shinigami with keen perception. However, I already have an improvement plan..."

Before he could finish, Urahara Kisuke cut in, "We've confirmed the location shown in the final image — Dangai point 9.527, southwest coordinate 12.138. A special territory called the Valley of Screams."

Hearing this, Akira waved his hand decisively, "Prepare the realm gate, we're heading to the Dangai!"

He never showed mercy to villain bosses with world-destroying tendencies. The Wandenreich was headache enough — other anti-human elements would meet their end early under the Lord Magistrate's iron fist.

Kisuke and Mayuri exchanged glances, nodding in unison.

Creating a small realm gate wasn't difficult for the two of them. However, entering the Dangai privately did somewhat violate Soul Society regulations.

"Ahem, Captain, shouldn't we notify Captain-Commander Yamamoto first?" Kisuke ventured carefully, "The Ryōdoji clan has already been punished for their past crimes. If we add fuel to the fire now, isn't it a bit..."

"Eh, Kisuke, since when did you become as fussy as Aizen?" Akira scoffed, "Just come with me to the Dangai to eliminate the Ryūdoji clan and protect world peace."

Kisuke and Mayuri: "..."

It was clearly for someone's personal agenda — how had it suddenly become about world peace?

Though they weren't sure of his exact motives, their instincts told them their Captain wasn't exactly the selfless type.

"I have a premonition." Akira explained, "In the near future, the surviving Ryūdoji clan will become one of the factors that could end the world. In terms you can understand, these unrepentant criminals are planning to use the power within the Dangai to achieve their revenge against Soul Society."

After so much time had passed, he couldn't quite remember exactly what the Ryūdoji clan had done. He only recalled their goal was to destroy Soul Society.

Seeing he wasn't joking, the two scientists' expressions immediately turned serious.

"Lord Magistrate Master, may I ask how you know this?" Mayuri stepped forward, "It's not that we don't trust you, but this is a major matter that cannot allow for any carelessness."

Akira's lips curved into a grin, "Mimihagi."

With those words, the laboratory fell silent.

As everyone knew, in Soul Society only one person could communicate with the deity known as Mimihagi — their Lord Magistrate, the Captain and Kenpachi of 11th Division. His words might as well have been divine decree.

While Kisuke still hesitated, Mayuri had already gone to prepare the realm gate in the adjacent laboratory. With the research materials from the 12th Division as foundation, developing a small realm gate was trivial for someone of his talent — effortless, even.

Seeing this, Kisuke sighed and could only choose to help. From this perspective, the alliance between the two scientists was undoubtedly fragile.

"Mr. Kurotsuchi, aren't you worried about the Captain causing trouble?" He asked quietly while preparing materials.

Mayuri paused his work, glanced at him, and his lips curled into a strange smile, "Urahara, your perspective is too narrow. Looking at Lord Yue's growth history, while his conduct may seem malicious and he prefers direct action, fundamentally, he has never done anything excessive. From beginning to end, Lord Akira has firmly stood on the Gotei's side. The reason for all this is likely the bottom line that has always existed in his heart."

Hearing this, Kisuke fell into contemplation.

Looking back at past events, he realized Akira's actions were exactly as Mayuri described. Even in his treatment of subordinates, one could detect an underlying gentleness.

To put it simply: while he might appear a bad guy, his heart was in the right place.

With their combined efforts, they quickly completed the small realm gate. Akira gazed at the misty light emanating from it and waved his hand.

"Let's go!"

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

The Dangai, Valley of Screams.

Several figures gathered here, their eyes fixed reverently on the weathered, white-haired middle-aged man at their center.

"Lord Ganryū, we've discovered strange insects in the Valley of Screams." The muscular man reported respectfully, "They emit strong Reishi fluctuations, possibly indicating unknown changes within the Dangai."

"No need to worry." The white-haired man examined the insect remains calmly, "Having mastered the ability to control Blanks, we are invincible within the Valley of Screams. Even if Soul Society discovers us, there's nothing to fear. We need only complete the forging of the Shinenju methodically, and then we can use its power to destroy both the World of the Living and Soul Society."

{T/N: Blanks are souls without memories that inhabit the Valley of Screams. Unlike Pluses, they lack Chains of Fate and cannot undergo Soul Burial; The Shinenju (Memory Rosary) is formed from the merged memories of souls lost in the Dangai. This combined object eventually finds its way back to the Human World.}

As his words faded, a sneering voice echoed from the distant rock wall.

"Did you hear that, Kisuke? When has your Captain ever lied to you? You don't have even a bit of trust in your own people, it's truly disheartening."

Hearing these confident words, Kisuke could only sigh helplessly.

Sure enough, the prediction had been correct. This group hiding in the Valley of Screams truly meant harm to Soul Society.

"Who's there?!"

Detecting the intruders, the Ryūdoji clan snapped to attention, all eyes turning toward the voice.

On the stacked rock wall ahead stood two figures.

One stood with arms crossed over his chest, tall as a poplar in the wind — his stance alone radiating invincibility. The other had a pale face with deep dark circles under his eyes, his expression pure dejection.

They were the perfect embodiments of "all brawn and no brains" and "Mr. Grumpy".

"Shinigami!"

Everyone glared with murderous rage, as if they wanted to skin and devour the two figures on the rock wall.

"I never expected you to discover us." The white-haired leader spoke in a cold, deep voice, "Since you're here, we'll fight! The Ryūdoji clan will never be enslaved! Witness our true power, Shinigami!"

Kisuke drew his sword reluctantly and released his Reiatsu.

He'd rather avoid combat, but these people truly meant to destroy Soul Society. If the Ryūdoji clan succeeded, he wouldn't even have a place to slack off anymore.

Meanwhile, Akira sized up the group like a cowboy at a cattle auction, mentally appraising each one's value.

As expected — anyone who could survive in the harsh Valley of Screams had to be at least Lieutenant-level. Especially the white-haired man. His Reiatsu alone matched Kisuke's.

Yet Akira knew that in a death match between the two, the white-haired man would fall. Though Kisuke's power seemed ordinary, his tactical genius was nearly unmatched in Soul Society. Even Aizen wouldn't dare underestimate him.

Of course, that assumed both sides fought with equal cunning.

But Akira was different. No matter how clever the tactics, he'd break through with raw power. A mere Kisuke wouldn't last three rounds against him. Such was the confidence of a stats warrior.

"Kisuke, stay on lookout." Akira commanded, "I'll handle the fighting."

He worried Mr. Grumpy might not know his own strength and accidentally kill one of them — a terrible waste.

Before Kisuke could process this, a massive figure appeared behind Akira's right side, raising a giant sand hammer high, bringing it down toward his head.

The fierce wind howled as it approached. Beneath his face covering, the massive man's expression turned savage, as if already seeing the youth's brains splatter.

BOOM!

Before the hammer could fall, the figure plummeted like a meteor, crashing into a distant rock wall and exploding into a crimson cloud — like an eruption of blood mist.

"Honestly, you're braver than the Pirate King." Akira shook his head helplessly, pointing at his white haori, "That face covering didn't just hide your face — it covered your brain and eyes too, didn't it? I am a Shinigami Captain, after all. Show some respect."

The white-haired man's expression darkened like storm clouds gathering.

He knew Bau's strength well. A thousand years ago in Soul Society, he could have been a Lieutenant. Yet such a powerful warrior stood no chance against this self-proclaimed Shinigami Captain youth.

It was hard to imagine how powerful the Gotei 13 had become.

"Attack together, don't give him any openings." The white-haired man commanded, "Anyone who harms the Ryūdoji clan must pay blood for blood!"

"Yes, Lord Ganryū!"

As the words fell, those standing beside the white-haired man burst forth with incredible speed, surrounding Akira completely. Chaotic, viscous Reiatsu filled the air, waves of powerful pressure emanating from all directions.

Without hesitation, a man wielding a diamond-shaped greatsword channeled his Reiatsu, causing the blade to expand several times its size. It fell toward Akira like a stone pillar, its speed so fierce it displaced the air on both sides.

Kisuke, who had flashed to the side, closed his eyes, unable to bear watching what would happen next.

No one understood his Captain's strength better than him. Even if Akira stood still, these small fry probably couldn't break through his defense.

With one punch, the massive sword shattered instantly, and his fist continued forward, landing directly on the chest of the greatsword wielder.

His proud Reiatsu defense was like paper before Akira. The shattering sound coincided with his chest cavity collapsing, ribs breaking and piercing into his lungs.

Casually throwing him down from the sky, Akira threw another punch behind him without looking back.

The person attempting to sneak attack widened his eyes, his curse turning into an unbearable cry of pain as he met the same fate as the others.

After a few punches and kicks, some lay fallen, others spitting blood. Looking around, of the great Ryūdoji clan, only the white-haired man remained.

"Alright, let's not waste time." Akira waved at him, "Once I finish with you, I can still make it to the dining hall in time."

Ganryū Ryūdōji stared in shock at the scene before him, barely able to believe his eyes.

After a thousand years of tempering in the Valley of Screams, these retainers had become the elite of the elite. Yet they were helpless before this opponent, who hadn't even drawn his sword before defeating everyone.

This was simply too outrageous...

Ganryū suppressed the fear rising in his heart, his eyes bloodshot as he stared at the youth approaching step by step. He understood that now all hope rested on his shoulders. If he failed too, the Ryūdoji clan would have no chance of recovery.

With this thought, he erupted with brilliant Reiatsu, and as his right hand's five fingers spread open, several ghost-like beings flew from the valley walls, transforming into a double-edged sword.

He gripped the sword with both hands and slashed forward violently. The sword pressure surged forth, splitting the valley's dark sky. The blood-red ground crumbled layer by layer as countless rocks and dust swept wildly in the howling wind.

Without hesitation, he unleashed the strongest attack of his life.

Seeing this, Akira grinned, spread his arms, and casually removed his Captain's haori, letting it flutter in the wind.

⤫ Jōshō Denkaen Henkō ⥤ Elevated Electric Flame Transformation! ⤬

Massive Reiatsu erupted forth as deep purple flames arose, electric arcs dancing wildly within, emanating a violent aura. The terrifying heat made him blaze like a fierce sun in the sky as he crashed down toward his opponent!

BOOM—

When the two forces collided, heaven and earth fell silent — but only for a moment before a sharp explosive sound rang out.

The sword pressure shattered instantly under the impact of his fist. Fierce winds howled as endless waves of force rolled outward. Visible ripples spread through the valley, their aftershocks collapsing rock walls and tearing apart the crimson earth.

Under the powerful impact, Ganryū plummeted like a meteorite, smashing a huge crater in the ground. Dust rose to the heavens, instantly coloring the dark sky. He coughed up blood profusely, feeling as if his entire body had been torn apart, every bone shattered by that single punch.

Before he could react, a black blade whistled through the air, embedding itself in the soil beside his neck. The sound of metal grinding against metal followed as interlocking rings bound the severely injured man securely.

"Fill the Void…"

⤫ Shikai: Kūkan Mukai ⥤ Initial Release: Unbounded Emptiness! ⤬

⤫ Kūkan Kōsoku ⥤ Void Chain Restraint! ⤬

Attempting to struggle, Ganryū stumbled and fell, with no possibility of recovery...

⤫⤬⤫

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