"This guy… does he have a death wish? He's actually creating openings for us?"
Ichimaru Gin narrowed his eyes slightly, his usual smile fading. Why is this Akira so reckless?
Yet, something felt off. Akira's movements weren't entirely careless—if anything, they seemed deliberate, as if he were playing along.
"Could he have figured out our plan?"
Tōsen Kaname frowned. But almost immediately, both he and Ichimaru Gin dismissed the idea.
In all of Soul Society, no one—not even Yamamoto Genryūsai—could spy on their conversations without being noticed by all three of them. If such a thing were possible, Aizen would've been exposed long ago. He'd remained undetected precisely because their security was airtight.
But if that was the case… why was Akira behaving this way?
"Maybe… he just wanted to take a walk outside on a whim?"
Ichimaru Gin's tone was casual, but his sharp gaze remained fixed ahead. "So? Are we still going through with it?"
Tōsen's response was decisive. "Regardless of his motive, this is an opportunity we can't afford to waste. Of course we're proceeding."
Their reactions were exactly as Akira had anticipated. After all, why would two captains abandon their mission over a seemingly odd coincidence?
"At most, we'll be extra cautious when the time comes. There's no need to hesitate," Tōsen added. "The combined abilities of our Zanpakutō are more than enough to eliminate most captains."
"My Suzumushi will completely overwhelm his senses, leaving him defenseless. Then, you'll strike with Shinsō—ending it in a single blow. Even if he is Akira… he won't survive."
Now that Akira's actions aligned with Aizen's suspicions, Tōsen had no intention of holding back.
"…Fine."
Ichimaru Gin didn't argue. Given his position, there was no room for resistance.
"Ah… it seems Akira's fate is sealed."
Tōsen was nothing if not a strategist, and his plan was as precise as ever. With their seamless cooperation, there was no way Akira could escape—no matter how strong he was.
Soul Society, mirroring the human world, stretched vast beyond imagination.
Beyond the Seireitei lay not only the Rukongai but also endless plains and untamed wilderness. Yet of all these lands, only the Seireitei and Rukongai held any significant number of souls.
At that moment, Akira strolled along a secluded mountain path, his expression relaxed—as if he hadn't a care in the world.
Not far behind, two powerful captains trailed him, their reiatsu suppressed and killing intent carefully concealed.
"Cry out, Suzumushi!"
Soundlessly, Tōsen Kaname released his zanpakutō.
The blade vibrated rapidly, emitting a high-pitched hum like the chirping of insects. He directed the sound waves toward Akira's ears, triggering Suzumushi's hypnosis.
"It's working," Tōsen murmured. "It seems Akira isn't anything special after all."
"I thought so," Ichimaru Gin replied, his tone unreadable. "His past fights were all brute-force victories—no skill, just overwhelming power."
Tōsen smirked and signaled Gin to prepare his attack.
Gin hadn't expected their target to be so vulnerable. If Akira was going to fall this easily, he wasn't worth relying on against Aizen.
Without hesitation—
"Shoot to kill, Shinsō!"
The silver blade in Gin's hand shot forward in an instant, streaking toward Akira's back.
CLANG!
A flash of steel cut through the air.
Without turning, Akira casually deflected Shinsō with a single backhanded swing.
"?!?"
Sparks flew. Both captains' eyes widened in shock.
"He blocked it?!" Tōsen muttered in disbelief. Beside him, Gin's fox-like eyes narrowed.
"…Are you sure you activated Suzumushi properly?"
"Of course! There's no way he should still be aware of his surroundings!"
Akira turned to face them now, a faint amusement curling his lips.
"So this was your plan?"
His voice was calm—almost mocking.
"What a shame… If you'd been facing anyone else, it might've actually worked."
Tōsen frowned. "How the hell are you—?"
"You talk too much."
Before Tōsen could finish, Akira vanished—and reappeared directly behind him.
"Impossible…!"
Tōsen's pupils contracted. He instinctively tried to dodge, but before he could move, Akira's blade was already swinging down.
Shing!
"Ahhhhhh!"
A bloodcurdling scream tore through the air as Tōsen staggered back, using shunpo to retreat dozens of meters. His left arm lay severed on the ground.
Gin's expression stiffened. Cold sweat traced his spine. What was that? Pure speed? Or something worse?
"My Suzumushi should still be in effect! Keep attacking!"
Gritting his teeth, Tōsen launched his counter.
"Suzumushi Nishiki: Benihikō!"
With a flick of his blade, countless razor-sharp discs materialized in the air, raining down on Akira like a crimson storm.
Gin, regaining his composure, followed suit.
"Kamishini no Yari: Hyakuhana Gōrin!"
Shinsō extended and fragmented into a thousand stabbing points, converging from the opposite direction.
For a moment, the two captains executed a flawless pincer attack.
This crossfire—combined with Suzumushi's sensory suppression—he can't possibly evade it now! Tōsen thought.
But reality proved him wrong.
In the blink of an eye, crackling blue lightning erupted across the battlefield. Akira's form dissolved into a storm of erratic light, his movements flowing like electricity itself—effortlessly weaving through the lethal barrage.
It was the power of his Goro Goro no Mi: the ability to move at the speed of lightning.
"Damn it… He's too fast!"
For the first time in years, Gin's ever-inscrutable mask cracked—his eyes widening slightly. He'd seen fast before. He'd even witnessed Yoruichi at her peak. But this… this wasn't shunpo. It was something else entirely.
"Tch… I didn't think he'd be this much trouble," Tōsen growled. "We won't bring him down with half-measures."
He straightened, his reiatsu surging with renewed intensity.
"Bankai—Suzumushi Tsuishiki: Enma Kōrogi!"
Instantly, darkness swallowed the battlefield.