Bleach: The Strongest Shinigami-Chapter 215 ⥤ How Can a Big Catch Be Called Empty-Handed?

"What are these things?" Akira stared at the giant Pac-Man-like monsters before him, scratching his head in confusion.

He had a vague impression of them, but couldn't quite place what they were.

Were they Hell's native species?

The black light expanded rapidly, enveloping this layer of Hell in an instant, plunging everything into darkness.

As he pondered this, a pure white figure emerged among the monsters — a warrior with a build as mighty as Zaraki's, grass-like hair, and eyes sharp as light.

"Those who disturb Hell's order, prepare to face punishment. I am Kuruyashiki, guardian of the world of the dead!"

The man drew his sword slowly, unleashing a powerful Reiatsu that surged like endless waves across the desolate landscape.

The monsters encircled him like stars around the moon, their hideous blood-filled mouths opening and closing in a taunting display.

At this self-introduction, understanding dawned on Akira. The memories flooded back.

Kuruyashiki, the 7th Kenpachi, had been a stubborn traditionalist who valued Soul Society's laws and his division members' lives above his own.

This devotion to principle had led to his downfall — he refused to use his Bankai in the battle for the title of Kenpachi against Sōya Azashiro.

Sōya had fused Reishi with his internal organs, then shredded him with blade-like energy, killing him instantly.

With his dying breath, he had entrusted Gosuke to the new Kenpachi.

As these memories surfaced, Akira's expression grew peculiar.

Gosuke had once shared stories about Kuruyashiki. As the 7th Kenpachi, he had lived for battle, always seeking a stronger Shinigami to defeat him.

That's why when Sōya struck him down, he harbored no hatred — he'd found peace in it.

His parting words echoed: "Until someone inherits the name of 'Kenpachi', I must remain in the Eleventh Division."

Yet he never imagined that death would bring him a new purpose.

Lost in reflection, Akira noticed Kuruyashiki's strange expression — remarkably similar to Shunsui's...

Before he could react, a white Pac-Man monster lunged skyward, its blood-filled maw gaping wide to swallow him whole. It moved with Arrancar-like swiftness.

Akira grinned, drawing his sword in a counter-strike. Jet-black Reiatsu soared upward, transforming into a slash that pierced the monster's body.

⤫ Getsuga Tenshō ⥤ Moon Fang Heaven-Piercer! ⤬

The spherical body froze mid-air.

A red line appeared slowly, then thick blood erupted in a spectacular display.

Unfazed, Kuruyashiki drew his sword and charged, raising it for a fierce downward strike.

Their blades met with thunderous force. Shock waves rippled under the black sky like waves on a pond. As their swords locked, muscles bulged on both arms, power erupting from their bodies like twin volcanoes unleashed.

"Hey, I've heard about your exploits."

Surprisingly, Kuruyashiki's tone held no hostility. His expression was almost friendly.

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"Repeatedly challenging Hell's rules, returning the dead's Reishi to Soul Society's cycle, and even coming to Hell to 'fish'. I admire you, truly. But as the Jailer of Hell (Jigoku no Gokuri), I must defend Hell's order. Don't expect mercy. If you wish to save Soul Society, show me your true strength!"

As he spoke, his black hair whipped wildly behind him, his Reiatsu condensing into a massive floating ring. Once formed, his power surged again like a cheat code activated.

Raw, overwhelming power followed.

The force sent Akira flying backward, creating multiple sonic booms.

Before he could steady himself, Kuruyashiki charged again, his blade crashing down like a mountain with force dozens of times fiercer than before.

Akira raised his hand in an upward slash. Sword pressure erupted from his blade — a jet-black arc carrying thunder and flames in its wake.

⤫ Tenrin Zangetsu ⥤ Celestial Moon-Slicing Blade! ⤬

Their weapons met in another violent collision.

Their fighting style was primitive — befitting two former Captains of the 11th Division. No flashy abilities or brilliant techniques, just pure instinctual combat.

Through the dissipating flames, Kuruyashiki leaped upward, using a white spherical monster as a stepping stone to charge wildly at Akira.

⤫ Jigoku-ryū: Moetsuku Yaiba ⥤ Hell Style: Burning Blade! ⤬

Sword pressure blades erupted like lotus flowers blooming under the black sky, their endless sharpness raining down to shred everything below.

Honoring his senior, Akira answered with Zanjutsu, raising his sword as the Death Slayer Style emerged.

⤫ Jigoku Tsuki Hakai ⥤ Hellish Moon Destruction! ⤬

Cold moonlight bloomed beneath his blade. Reiatsu scattered and transformed into endless waves flowing upward, the blade's light crashing down like thunderclouds.

In Zanjutsu, Yachiru Unohana had mastered all styles under heaven, becoming the ultimate master. And Akira, who had perfected even that, stood a level above.

Though Kuruyashiki's strength was formidable, he was forced to retreat in his own domain.

Their battle drew the attention of Hell's other Togabito (Sinners).

Despite the black ropes binding them and the flames searing their flesh, they all craned their necks skyward, watching the bursting light above through their endless torment.

"Amazing fight!"

"The battle between Jailer Kuruyashiki and the Fisherman Akira Kisaragi is already this terrifying!"

"Wow, I want to watch this!"

"So exciting, so exciting! Even if I die again, seeing such powerful beings clash is worth it!"

In Hell, death was commonplace. The endless pain and monotony were the Togabito's true torture.

Akira's fishing expeditions had already broken Hell's million-year silence, bringing a spark of life to these Sinners. Now this magnificent battle against the Jailer had them cheering with genuine excitement.

The swordfight reached a stalemate, with Akira even landing two counter-strikes.

Despite Hell's power helping repair his body, Kuruyashiki found himself at a disadvantage.

Changing tactics, he seized the moment their Zanpakutō crossed. He raised his palm, clenched it, and threw a straight punch at his opponent's head.

A flash of confusion crossed Akira's eyes as he watched the fist approach.

Had Hell corrupted this man's mind too?

With no time to ponder, he flashed a fierce grin and met the challenge — fist against fist!

The instant their iron fists collided, terrifying pressure waves exploded outward. Kuruyashiki's expression froze as his arm shattered.

Crack!

The devastating impact turned flesh to mud and splintered bone. Half his body crumbled from that single punch, the force transforming into a tidal wave that swallowed everything in its path.

The black light in the sky shattered. The white monsters nearest to their battle dissolved into Reishi, scattering into the air from the aftershock.

From the settling dust, half of Kuruyashiki emerged slowly.

Countless flesh buds sprouted from his severed body, frantically working to repair the damage. His Reiatsu continued to surge without limit.

He fixed his gaze on Akira above, his expression twisted and struggling, as if fighting against some internal force.

His Reiatsu spiked sharply, his aura growing more terrifying by the second.

Until...

Kuruyashiki gripped his Zanpakuto and pointed it downward. Black light burst from its tip.

⤫ Bankai: Gagaku Kairō ⥤ Final Release: Corridor of Hungering Music! ⤬

As those words fell, Hell's sky and ground began to tremble as if heralding the end of the world.

A giant maw, similar to the white monsters but vastly larger, slowly opened in this layer of Hell. An aura of pure destruction spread throughout the realm.

Akira's expression finally turned serious. Watching this dramatic scene unfold, he couldn't shake the feeling that Hell held quite a grudge against him.

He knew well of Kuruyashiki's Bankai — Gosuke had often told him it was among the most terrifying in existence. Only the Captain-Commander possessed a Bankai that could rival it.

When activated, it would summon a giant maw spanning several spiritual miles, devouring everything — living and non-living — within its reach.

To put its scale in perspective: Karakura Town in the Human World was merely one spiritual mile in radius.

This maw could devour several such cities whole.

The Central 46 had forbidden Kuruyashiki from releasing his Bankai within the Seireitei, such was its devastating power and range.

Thus, from mastering Bankai until death, he had never once unleashed it.

Yet here in Hell, not only had he released his Bankai — it was amplified by Hell's very energy.

The current maw dwarfed its normal size, turning all of heaven and earth into its domain.

Hell, it seemed, would risk mutual destruction to eliminate this persistent fisherman who kept invading its territory. No price was too high to make him pay.

Observing this absurd spectacle, Akira remarked thoughtfully:

"Hell lacks strategy, and Kuruyashiki lacks wisdom — before one possessing world-shaking intelligence, all schemes are futile. Such a big mouth... careful not to dislocate it."

Just as he was reflecting, Kuruyashiki called out, "Once devoured by my Bankai, your body will be torn to shreds. If you die in Hell, you'll be bound by chains, never to rise again!"

Akira grinned confidently, "Am I the type to lack wisdom? When fishing, you're bound to come up empty sometimes."

Speaking thus, he pulled out Kisuke's Hell Gateway Activator from his pocket, and upon pressing it, a pitch-black passage appeared before him.

"Kuruyashiki-senpai, I'll take my leave first. Until we meet again."

Akira waved to the bewildered man in the distance, then walked into the passage without looking back.

Kuruyashiki: "?"

As his figure vanished from Hell, the giant maw closed, directly swallowing this First Level of Hell, the sky collapsed, and Hell caved in.

The apocalypse descended.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Seeing Akira return empty-handed, Kisuke's mouth twitched into a smile as he said.

"Captain, how come you didn't catch any fish today?"

Akira's mouth twitched as he sighed helplessly, "Don't mention it, the fish was too big, broke the rod."

He then recounted to Kisuke what had happened in Hell.

"Kisuke, judge this for yourself." He clapped his hands angrily, "Hell has taken so much from Soul Society, yet I just fish for two days and it can't take it anymore. How can it be so petty?"

Kisuke wiped the cold sweat that had broken out on his forehead.

Others might not understand, but he knew Kuruyashiki very well, especially that world-destroying Bankai. Once released, it could destroy at least one Division of the Seireitei.

However, come to think of it. The fact that his Captain didn't stubbornly stay to fight head-on this time was very unlike to him.

"Stay away from Hell for a while." Kisuke said seriously, "They couldn't keep you this time, so next time they might send someone even more formidable. If things go wrong, Yama-jii might have to send a bald man to mourn a black-haired one."

Akira nodded in deep agreement.

He couldn't afford any mistakes before tha old man dropped his gold coins.

Though he hadn't caught any fish, the battle with Kuruyashiki had helped relieve some of his pent-up feelings.

As for the rest, he'd let the other members of the 11th Division make up for it. He would spare their lives out of consideration for their loyalty.

⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬

Junrinan District, Mimihagi Shrine.

Little Black Teahouse.

In the dimly lit environment, two quiet candle flames burned faintly, casting twisted shadows on the walls.

Akira skillfully pulled out several dried persimmons from his pocket, then brought out some konpeitō candy, three baked sweet potatoes, four skewers of rice dumplings, two bottles of sake, a pot of feather robe tea, Aizen's latest novel...

Looking at the items quickly piling into a small mountain on the table, a hint of helplessness flashed through Mimihagi's single indifferent eye.

This kid always brought something new every time he came.

Though most times they just chatted about interesting events happening in Soul Society, occasionally unexpected situations would arise. Overall, this kid was quite to Its liking.

However, the current situation wouldn't allow Akira to remain idle any longer.

"Hell... collapse..."

The chaotic, disordered voice echoed in the empty room, and Akira, who was still pulling out items, looked up in confusion at Mimihagi before him.

From Its narrative, he understood what had happened.

In short, due to Kuruyashiki's Bankai, the First Level of Hell had collapsed, breaking the original order, and throwing all of Hell into chaos.

If this continued, it might affect Soul Society.

"Mmph, ish domsday comin again?" Akira cooperatively showed an expression of terror.

Mimihagi: "..."

Could you stop chewing while making that expression?!

⤫⤬⤫

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