"What is with that look?"
Inside the Squad 1 exclusive dojo, Yamamoto furrowed his brow, his forehead creasing into the character for 'one'.
"Are you worried you will hurt this old man?"
"Have no scruples. Bring out your full strength and charge at me!"
Looking at Yamamoto, whose entire body was wreathed in Reiatsu like raging fire, Naraku Sora's mouth twitched.
"I don't understand, Head Captain. This is too dangerous."
He couldn't understand why the teaching style of the Genryū was so straightforward; on the very first day of class, he was expected to attack his superior.
Was this what they called tradition?
"Cowardly behavior," Yamamoto huffed coldly. "If I cannot determine your true level, how can I proceed with the instruction?"
"You can simply treat this old man as a member of the Araki family and slash with all your might!"
Seeing the young man opposite him still hesitating, what little patience Yamamoto had was instantly exhausted. He stomped his right foot violently and charged straight forward.
Since you are unwilling to take the initiative, this old man will personally weigh your capacity.
The oncoming scorching wind immediately distorted Naraku Sora's features.
In the next moment, amidst the eruption of a roaring sound, that aged face appeared abruptly. Within those raised eyes, an unceasing fire seemed to burn furiously.
A distance of over ten meters was crossed in an instant.
Even with his full attention focused on Yamamoto, he still couldn't track that terrifyingly high-speed trajectory.
The shock in Naraku Sora's heart vanished in a flash. Under the extreme pressure, the string named 'reason' snapped. His eyes, now like those of a wild beast, fixed dead on the old man who was close at hand.
No retreating. No dodging.
Facing the man-eating scorching wind, Naraku Sora erupted with all his Reiatsu. A blood-red mist exploded outwards instantly, and sparks flew from the friction of the blade.
Instantaneous contact.
The moment that heavy palm collided with the blade, a heart-palpitating roar immediately burst forth.
The corners of Naraku Sora's mouth hooked into a smile. The instant he was forced back, he slammed his foot forward again amidst the searing heat.
Boom!
The floor trembled.
The Zanpakutō slashed upwards against the wind!
Consequently, blood-colored Reiatsu rose from the ground, erupting like lava from the earth's crust. The blade's light broke through the outer layer of diffused Reiatsu, charging straight toward Yamamoto.
Blade against palm.
Although the disparity in power between the two sides was extremely vast, Naraku Sora still relied on a ruthless drive to display his own momentum.
Then, under extreme stats and techniques honed to the peak, he was crushed without suspense.
An old monster who had lived for thousands of years, and a newly appointed Soul Reaper who had just graduated from the Academy not long ago.
The result of a contest between these two was destined to be singular.
With a simple, unadorned punch, Naraku let out a shameful scream before crashing to the ground, unable to rise again.
In contrast, Yamamoto was neither red-faced nor breathless; even his Reiatsu didn't fluctuate much.
"I am now clear on your level."
"To be honest, it is very strange."
"Clearly, your Reiatsu level is only at the ninth rank of spiritual power, yet you erupted with destructive power comparable to the fourth or fifth rank."
"Furthermore, your spirit body's resilience is extremely high."
At this point, Yamamoto frowned, a trace of confusion flashing across his face.
"If other Soul Reapers are raw iron, then you have the flavor of something tempered a thousand times."
"Perhaps it is talent, or perhaps it is the technology of the Shutara Prison Warden."
"But regardless, you are no longer an ordinary Soul Reaper!"
Hearing this, Naraku Sora, paralyzed on the floor, trembled and looked up at Yamamoto.
A ferocious smile just happened to come into view. The old man stroked the beard on his chest and grinned.
"I must change my teaching methods!"
...
Rukongai, Junrinan, Outer District.
Aizen calmly gazed at the several completely unfamiliar figures ahead. Their unconcealed malice fully explained their intentions.
"Finally found you, Aizen Sōsuke."
The leader revealed a cruel smile. "Now, please be a good boy and die."
"If you want to blame someone, blame yourself for keeping bad company. You just had to be on a mission with Naraku Sora, and you just happen to be one of that guy's few friends."
"Kill him."
Without giving the opponent a chance to talk nonsense, this group clearly understood that delays lead to trouble and did not want to cause too much of a commotion in the Junrinan district.
Thus, a slaughter without suspense unfolded in the forest.
The attackers didn't even have time to scream before they died painfully in despair.
Aizen stood beside the piled corpses, quietly wiping his blade, a look of contemplation flashing in his eyes.
These attackers were obviously not from the Onmitsukidō. Judging by their words and actions, they were likely a private force cultivated by the Araki family.
It seemed that the retaliation against him and Naraku Sora had already begun.
If they sent mere ordinary Soul Reapers after him, then what would Naraku Sora be facing?
Thinking of this, Aizen frowned and looked in the direction of the Seireitei.
...
...
"What is happening?!"
Inside the violently shaking mansion, smoke curled and flames burned. In the courtyard outside the window, figures fled in all directions, and wails echoed through the night sky.
The massive, city-like mansion was now in chaotic disarray.
Looking around, only the head of the household's room remained quiet.
The old man standing at the window witnessing all this had a frozen expression, his face filled with disbelief.
"What exactly is going on?"
"Which audacious fool dares to attack our Araki family? Are they not afraid of Central 46 holding them accountable?!"
"Where is the Gotei 13? Where the hell did those people go?"
Just then, a figure suddenly appeared behind the old man, and a steady, gentle voice spoke slowly.
"Don't waste your energy."
"The entire Araki family mansion has been covered by a Kidō barrier. Even Yamamoto Shigekuni would find it difficult to detect for a short while."
The old man hurriedly turned around. When he saw the figure in the firelight clearly, a trace of unconcealable panic appeared on his face, and his voice was full of tremors.
"L-Lord, didn't we sign a contract?"
Hearing this, the person opposite laughed. "Of course, the contract has been fulfilled. We provided enough resources and influence to make the Araki family a leader among the upper-class nobles."
"We even provided you with the soul modification plan and the specific procedures."
"And didn't you succeed? The power of the Aberrant Souls is unprecedented, enough for the Araki family to step into another class."
The old man's pale face was covered in sweat, and even his voice became hoarse. "But Lord, we haven't completed the final step yet. Give me a little more time..."
Before he could finish speaking, the other party reached out and interrupted him, a smile carrying a chill that made one shudder.
"So, I will take over the final step."
"Araki, thank you for your dedication all this time. Now—"
"Please make the final sacrifice for our shared great cause!"
The instant the voice fell, Araki's expression stiffened abruptly. His aged body trembled like a sieve as he gasped violently, dry-heaving blood mixed with pieces of internal organs.
It was as if he were vomiting out his very soul.
Web-like veins bulged on the surface of his skin, and his hunched body grew and expanded continuously.
Chaotic Reiatsu flooded the massive mansion, radiating endless despair and madness, as a colossal shadow gradually enveloped everything...