Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami

The Shihōin Family Shrine.

With its blue bricks and dark tiles, upturned eaves and corners, the ancient building stood in the intersecting sunlight. A faint dust surrounded its edges, exuding an air of mystery.

"This is where we keep the family's Zanpakutō." Yoruichi explained, "No one can remove it from the shrine without first gaining its acceptance."

Along both sides of the shrine's corridor stood several Shinigami, completely shrouded in black clothing. Their presence was so well suppressed that if Yoruichi hadn't mentioned them, Akira wouldn't have noticed them at all.

There wasn't even the slightest trace of Reiatsu.

"Stop looking around — this is a secret technique of the Onmitsukidō. Once you join the Second Division, I'll teach it to you personally." Yoruichi grabbed his hand and strode casually toward the shrine.

"You're that certain I'll join Second Division?" Akira asked, puzzled, "Captain Unohana made quite a generous offer."

Yoruichi turned to look at him with disdain, "I don't know about others, but judging by your standards... The conditions I'm offering are something you simply can't refuse."

After several interactions, she had figured him out — he was easy to understand with the right approach. Like giving honey to a bear, this lecherous priest could be managed with the right incentives… women.

This was how the Shihōin family head handled relationships and social affairs!

"Lady Yoruichi." At the entrance, the guard Shinigami bowed respectfully.

"I'm bringing a friend in to resolve the Zanpakutō issue." Yoruichi waved her hand and, to Akira's surprise, simply walked in without ceremony.

There wasn't even a second round of questioning!

"Say, is guarding the Shihōin family shrine always this relaxed?" He asked curiously, "I feel like I could do this job too."

She explained with a smile, "Actually, it's because there have been so many visitors to the shrine lately — not just you, but Captain-Commander Yamamoto, Captain Ukitake, Captain Unohana... They've all been invited to help resolve the Zanpakutō issue."

So that's how it was. Akira understood.

They'd gotten used to it due to the frequent visits.

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The two entered the shrine's interior smoothly.

To Akira's surprise, the overall structure resembled the Sakahone Shrine, except for a Zanpakutō embedded in a craggy rock at the center.

Memorial tablets of successive Shihōin family heads lined both sides of the Zanpakutō.

He counted — twenty-one in total.

Since Yoruichi would be the twenty-second head of the Shihōin family, it appeared all previous family heads had passed away.

No wonder the family elders were anxious.

With the current turmoil among Soul Society nobility, the Shihōin family risked being absorbed or supplanted by hostile forces if they delayed selecting a new head.

"I almost forgot to ask, do you need anything prepared for this exorcism?" Yoruichi turned and asked, "The Ise family priests usually use incense, ritual wands, shrines, sacred stones, and other items during ceremonies. I can have them prepared if needed."

Akira waved his hand, "No need — I'm different from those second-rate priests. However, I will need your assistance."

From his empty sleeve, he produced a complete set of shrine priest's garments, followed by ritual wands, incense, cinnabar, brushes, and an altar table.

Beside him, Yoruichi stared in disbelief. She moved closer, her delicate hands patting his body, searching for some hidden dimensional space.

She found nothing.

"Where do you hide all these things?"

"Trade secret." Akira replied without looking up as he searched through his system space for items from his last check-in, "Found it."

To Yoruichi's astonishment, he pulled from his chest pocket—

A brand new shrine maiden outfit!

The cat was shocked!

Yoruichi couldn't comprehend it. Carrying ritual implements was one thing, but why would a respected shrine priest carry a shrine maiden outfit?!

"Here, put it on." Akira handed the outfit to the stunned girl.

"..."

Seeing no response, he simply stuffed it into her arms and began changing into his priest's garments.

Though he was now quite familiar with Mimihagi, the proper procedures still had to be followed. Besides, this exorcism ritual might prove more complex than expected.

Upon entering this shrine, he could clearly sense the oppressive atmosphere, with the Reishi in the air reduced to their lowest activity, as if suppressed by some force.

Watching Akira act so casually, Yoruichi's face filled with conflict.

"I'll go change over there!"

Seeing he was almost done changing, she hurriedly threw down these words and darted to a corner of the shrine, rustling as she changed into the shrine maiden outfit.

When she reappeared in the shrine's center, Akira's eyes lit up.

Purple hair cascaded down her back, her flushed cheeks showing a hint of resistance. The shrine maiden outfit, with its crisp red and white colors, combined with her tanned skin to create a striking charm.

This was likely Yoruichi's first time wearing such attire, and the hakama fit snugly, highlighting her graceful silhouette. The white garment's edges and her smooth, slender arms drew particular attention.

"Looking great, Shrine Maiden Yoruichi!" Akira gave a thumbs up, openly admiring.

Having revealed his true nature on multiple occasions, he saw no reason to hide his appreciation. Indeed, the contrast of black and white created quite the captivating sight.

He found himself eagerly anticipating life in the 2nd Division.

Yoruichi spread her arms and spun lightly, examining her new appearance. For someone accustomed to form-fitting clothes, the loose shrine maiden attire with its movement restrictions felt foreign.

"Alright, all preparations are complete — let's begin our exorcism ritual!" Akira waved his hand with flourish, and incense ignited on the altar as a windless breeze swept through the shrine.

Though called an exorcism, this was truly a ceremonial ritual.

The exact nature of the Zanpakutō's affliction remained unclear, even with his expertise in this field.

Fortunately, he had his reliable fallback.

Calling for backup!

The ritual bell trembled softly, its clear chimes resonating through the deep, dark shrine.

"In the name of the Shrine Priest, Akira Kisaragi, I summon the One-Eyed Great God Mimihagi..."

His fingers moved like butterflies, weaving countless hand seals while chanting, steadily releasing Reiatsu.

A heavy rumbling rose from the altar, and before Yoruichi's shocked gaze, a massive, divine black shadow emerged from Akira's form as the surrounding Reishi began to distort.

Fine black shadows stretched through the depths, transforming into endless darkness that enveloped the entire shrine!

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