Boom!!
A hurricane erupted, howling and surging. The violent impact exploded in front of Akira, transforming into chaotic air currents that struck in all directions.
Takeo's heavy punch missed, leaving his front wide open. Akira seized the opportunity, landing a direct thrust punch on his robust chest.
There wasn't a hint of Reiatsu released — it was purely physical strength, or what's known as Reiryoku (Spiritual Power).
The world of Shinigami is strange.
The souls of those who die in the living world separate from their physical bodies and come to the Soul Society. But if you think the souls in the Soul Society are purely spiritual, you'd be greatly mistaken.
Most things in the Soul Society are composed of Reishi (Spirit Particles), while most things in the living world are composed of Matter Particles.
When souls arrive in the Soul Society, their bodies are reconstructed from Reishi. In other words, whether commoners or nobles, their main components are Reishi and Souls.
When not using Reiatsu to fight, the strength, or Reiryoku, contained within the spiritual body becomes the key to determining the outcome of a battle!
Takeo felt as if he'd been hit head-on by a charging rhinoceros. The violent force contained in Akira's fist was not inferior to his own, and might even slightly exceed it.
In an instant, his eyeballs bulged, filled with countless blood vessels, adding a peculiar color to his eyes. His thick, massive feet firmly planted on the ground, plowing two deep furrows under the enormous force pushing against him.
"Cough, that's quite some strength!"
Takeo wiped away the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, then raised his hand and tore off his blue and white school uniform, revealing his towering physique. An intense, oppressive aura — like that of a giant beast — swept over everyone.
"However, I'm the man who's going to become a captain!" His roar was like thunder, echoing throughout the entire battlefield, moving people with his demeanor.
In contrast, Akira on the opposite side wore a bewildered expression, staring at his right fist in confusion, as if it were his first time in a fight, completely unable to understand the situation.
This contemptuous attitude immediately angered Takeo's friends, with cheers and curses coming from all around, creating a cacophony.
Aizen calmly gazed at the figure within the Kidō barrier, a thoughtful emotion flashing in his eyes. He didn't understand.
Why had Akira undergone such a dramatic change after communicating with Asauchi?
Not only had his Reiatsu doubled, but his spiritual body seemed to have become more compact. The power contained within him had increased several fold, far surpassing his previous capabilities.
What exactly had happened?
Akira was also pondering this question. However, with his limited knowledge and seemingly empty brain, he simply couldn't fathom what had occurred — even though these changes came from within himself.
"Forget it, I'm done thinking." He gave up on further taxing his brain cells. Clapping his hands together, he waved at Takeo across from him, "Come on, big guy, let's continue."
Takeo's breath escaped in two thick streams of white vapor, his entire being reminiscent of an enraged bull. Division Member-level Reiatsu enveloped his body, enhancing his already formidable strength.
With a violent stomp of his massive foot, Takeo's towering, muscular frame became a human cannonball, hurtling straight towards Akira. His right arm bent forward, launching an elbow strike in a crushing overhead attack towards his shorter opponent.
His momentum was fierce and powerful, seemingly unstoppable. He had pushed his advantages to the extreme; this strike would be his strongest attack yet!
Watching the massive black shadow charging towards him, Akira didn't meet it head-on like before. Instead, just as Takeo gathered his strength, he stepped back, his legs slightly bent.
Then, to everyone's astonishment, he leapt into the air, perfectly evading his opponent's vicious elbow strike.
Takeo looked up, his gaze fierce and his expression savage, immediately attempting to attack the airborne figure that couldn't change direction. The explosive power hidden in his tall frame, combined with his abnormally long arms, would allow him to easily reach a height of several meters.
However, Akira didn't give him this opportunity. As he soared through the air, his excited voice rang out.
"Eat my—"
⤫ Tenrin Gessō ⥤ Celestial Crescent Sweep! ⤬
Takeo's eyes widened; he hadn't clearly heard what he had shouted.
The intense pressure suddenly reminded him of his first encounter with a Hollow — a terrifying body several times larger than his own, reeking of blood, savage and ferocious. It was suffocating!
Instinctively, he crossed his arms in front of him, attempting to block Akira's attack.
The next moment—
Crack!
BOOM!
A meteor fell. Fierce winds rose from the ground, kicking up countless clouds of dust like lava erupting from a volcano. Shockwaves radiated in all directions from the violent impact.
Takeo's arms shattered upon impact, showing irregular, abnormal bruising. His towering frame crashed down, smashing a huge crater into the ground.
As the dust settled, silence fell.
Shock, astonishment, disbelief, incomprehension — such expressions flashed across the faces of the onlookers.
Aizen sighed, rubbing his forehead, a hint of helplessness in his eyes. It seemed things were once again developing beyond his control.
"Who's next?"
As Akira gradually became familiar with his suddenly increased power, his confidence soared to unprecedented heights.
Everyone here, without exception, was trash!
⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬⤫⤬
Meanwhile, on a building north of the duel barrier, two figures — one tall, one short — stood by the railing, observing the scene.
"He's quite energetic, isn't he?"
The speaker was a bald old man with a graying beard hanging down his front. His long white eyelashes drooped to his gaunt cheekbones, and his bearing was calm and dignified — imposing without anger.
"Is this the Akira who destroyed the men's dormitory at the Shin'ō Academy?"
Beside him, a white-haired, golden-eyed man who looked like a gentleman bowed his head respectfully.
"Yes, Captain-Commander. Akira Kisaragi is from District 76 of East Rukongai, Sakahone, and is the priest of the local shrine."
The dignified old man lowered his gaze to the young figure in the Kidō barrier, his half-closed eyes masking his emotions.
"The Shin'ō Academy is flourishing; Ginrei Kuchiki has done well. Whether it's Takeo Matsushita or Akira Kisaragi, they will both become part of the Gotei 13 in the near future, defending the justice of Soul Society. Geniuses should be treated differently."
Chōjirō Sasakibe furrowed his brow slightly, not quite grasping the Captain-Commander's meaning.
Just as he was about to inquire, the old man beside him spoke again.
"True geniuses cannot be nurtured in a greenhouse. Experiencing cruelty in advance might be more beneficial for their growth."
⤫⤬⤫
T/N: If you want more Chapters like this, check out my Patreon! I'm constantly translating and the difference will keep getting bigger!
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That's it and happy reading! (-‿◦)
/mrblackwing