The piercing alarm echoed through the skies above the Seireitei, sending waves of panic through the ranks of the Gotei 13.
All seated officers, vice-captains, and even active-duty Shinigami had been summoned to channel their spiritual energy into the Kidō cannons, forming a defensive barrier. The rest of the Shinigami could only tremble within the courtyards of the Seireitei, awaiting what felt like the end of the world.
"Hey… Look at that! What is that?"
The gravitational force in the distance was growing stronger, distorting the sky itself. As the anomaly expanded, many Shinigami noticed its eerie form—the unmistakable presence of a valley materializing before their eyes.
Kurotsuchi Mayuri raised his head, adjusting his hat as he observed the spectacle. "Hmm… It would seem we are witnessing the phenomenon of the Valley of Screams."
"Huh?" Zaraki Kenpachi arched an eyebrow, cracking his knuckles. "You're saying we can see it just 'cause it's too close?"
"This time, Captain Zaraki's simplistic reasoning is actually correct," Mayuri cackled. "The boundary between realms is unstable—fascinating, really."
"If that's the case…" Hitsugaya Tōshirō narrowed his eyes. "The highest concentration of lost souls must be there… where the Shinenju and Ganryū of the Ryōdoji Clan reside."
"Not only that!" Soifon suddenly interjected. "Look—he's there! Captain Akira!"
Every Shinigami in the Seireitei turned their eyes toward the sky. Given the stakes—nothing less than the survival of Soul Society—they all recognized the lone figure standing against the storm.
"It's him… Captain Akira!"
"Captain Akira has entered the valley?!"
Among the sharp-eyed Shinigami, a flicker of hope emerged.
"He has to succeed…!"
Ise Nanao clasped her hands together, whispering a silent prayer. Her captain had suffered defeat at Akira's hands before—but now, that very strength was their greatest chance at survival.
At the heart of the valley, Akira stood unshaken, the kanji for "invincible" practically written across his aura.
Senna's eyes gleamed as she stared at him. "It's you…"
Ryōdoji Clan head Ganryū, the enemy before him, narrowed his eyes darkly.
"I'll say this once," Akira said calmly. "Release Senna, surrender, and I will spare your life. You'll stand trial in Soul Society."
"You think that's possible?!" Ganryū roared. "My clan has suffered for millennia—framed, exiled, and erased from history! Our revenge against Soul Society cannot simply be cast aside!"
Akira remained unmoved. "That's not my concern. I'm not here to debate history."
Ganryū clenched his fists, his breath unsteady. "…Tch!"
After a long silence, he exhaled sharply. "I'll admit—you're strong. Maybe even among the strongest captains."
"But don't underestimate me!" His spiritual pressure surged. "I didn't fight you earlier because reclaiming the prayer beads was my priority. But now… I won't hold back!"
His reiatsu flared violently, shaking the valley. He was no mere warrior—Ryōdoji Clan head Ganryū was a force to be reckoned with, a combatant whose strength rivaled the captains of the Gotei 13 themselves.
Judging from Akira's understanding, Ganryū coughing up blood after Kurosaki Ichigo's attacks makes sense. After all, Ichigo, who has defeated Bankai-wielding opponents twice, undoubtedly possesses the strength of an elite captain.
But to Akira, this was still far from enough.
"Hmph… I can probably guess what you're thinking. Are you still deluded enough to believe you can stand against me?"
Akira sneered. "How naive. That's just your 'frog at the bottom of the well' thinking."
"You're the one trapped in your own illusion!" Ganryū shot back, unsheathing his blade and pointing it at Akira.
"For a thousand years, my clan has wandered the Dangai and the Valley of Screams. In that time, I've gained the power to control the wandering souls!" His voice carried unwavering confidence.
"This ability allows me to rival a Bankai's strength—even without having one myself! This is a power beyond anything you've seen before!"
Akira's crimson Mangekyō Sharingan spun ominously.
"Sorry," he said flatly. "I've seen it before."
His gaze turned sharper. "And since I don't have time to waste… I'll end this quickly."
"Amaterasu: Black Flame Dragon Mode."
Black fire erupted and coiled around Akira's body, transforming into a raging, jet-black dragon. The flames crackled ominously, swallowing the space around him.
Ganryū's eyes widened. "What… What kind of ability is this? It's neither Bankai, nor Shikai, nor Kidō…"
But he quickly shook off his shock, his grip tightening on his sword.
No matter what tricks his opponent had—he would cut him down directly!
"Shh—!"
Ganryū swung his sword, unleashing a tide of soulless energy. The attack liquefied midair into a vast, white torrent surging toward Akira.
Akira raised a hand, and a towering black flame wall materialized, blocking the incoming wave with ease.
"It's not over yet!"
Ganryū's spiritual pressure surged as he conjured a storm of golden lightsabers, their numbers reaching into the thousands. They rained down like an unrelenting barrage, each carrying the power of a concentrated Kidō blast.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The ground trembled violently as the lightsabers impacted, sending shockwaves across a thousand-meter radius. Smoke and debris filled the air, turning the battlefield into a wasteland.
The observing Shinigami in Soul Society were left speechless.
"This power… It's on par with a Bankai!"
Ganryū's lips curled into a confident smirk. But that confidence quickly faded.
The deafening sound of impact was dying down—too quickly. The golden lightsabers were vanishing midair, burning away before reaching their target.
"You're disappointing me."
Akira's cold voice pierced through the smoke.
The black flame barrier around him expanded outward, devouring the remaining lightsabers like a hungry beast.
"It's actually consuming my attack?!" Ganryū's pupils shrank in disbelief.
In mere moments, his entire onslaught had been reduced to nothing.
"From the start, I was merely controlling the shape of my flames," Akira said, exhaling in mild boredom. "I didn't even need to use an actual technique."
His expression darkened.
"Is this really all Soul Society's so-called 'noble warriors' have to offer? Pathetic."
Ganryū clenched his sword tighter, but his hands were trembling.
Akira took a step forward, the black flames surging violently around him.
"If this is your best—then you're not even worth killing."
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